Veterans to get life-saving health care boost under new plan

New Bipartisan Legislation Seeks to Expand Life-Saving Breast Cancer Screenings for Women Veterans

A growing number of women are serving in the US military, and their needs are being increasingly recognized by lawmakers. A new bipartisan plan aims to improve early detection and treatment outcomes for these women veterans, who will make up 18% of all US veterans by 2040.

The Mammography Access for Veterans Act, introduced by Representatives Thompson, Larsen, Kiggans, and Dexter, would expand access to breast cancer screenings through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill seeks to close care gaps in rural areas where full-service VA mammography facilities are limited. It permanently authorizes telehealth and telescreening mammography in every state, ensuring that women veterans can receive early-detection services.

The legislation is seen as a lifeline for women veterans who may not have access to healthcare in their rural communities. With over 7,000 screenings conducted under the 2022 MAMMO Act pilot program, there is clear demand and feasibility for wider expansion across the VA network.

Senate companion introduced by Senators Blumenthal, Moran, Hirono, and Boozman reflects bicameral support for making telescreening permanent and ensuring mammography access in every state. The bill's sponsors believe that this will transform care for veterans living in rural areas, where health shortages are common.

Supporters of the legislation point out that early detection is crucial in treating breast cancer effectively. No veteran should have to worry about accessing preventive care, said Representative Dexter, a former VA critical-care physician. With women currently enrolled in VA care now able to schedule appointments directly with VA gynecology specialists, this bill represents another step towards streamlining access to care.

The House Veterans' Affairs Committee will consider the legislation following its referral, and supporters expect the Senate companion to advance in parallel as lawmakers seek to make VA telescreening mammography a permanent nationwide option.
 
🀩 I'm so hyped about this new bipartisan bill! πŸŽ‰ It's amazing that lawmakers are finally recognizing the needs of women veterans when it comes to breast cancer screenings. 18% of all US vets will be women by 2040, and we need to make sure they have access to life-saving care. πŸ’• This bill is a huge step forward in bridging the gap for those living in rural areas where healthcare can be scarce. The fact that it's permanently authorizing telehealth and telescreening mammography means more women veterans can get early detection and treatment - it's a total game-changer! πŸ“ˆ I'm cheering on our lawmakers who are fighting for this important cause. Let's keep the momentum going and make sure all women veterans have access to quality care! πŸ’ͺ
 
πŸ’‘ I think it's amazing that lawmakers are finally recognizing the growing number of women serving in the US military and their need for better healthcare access 🀝. It's not just about expanding breast cancer screenings, but also about empowering these women to take control of their own health 🌟. The fact that 18% of all US veterans will be women by 2040 is a testament to their dedication and service πŸ’ͺ. I'd love to see this bill pass and make telescreening mammography a permanent nationwide option, especially for rural communities where healthcare access can be limited 🚨. Every veteran deserves access to quality care, regardless of where they live or serve 🌎.
 
🀝 just heard that they're gonna make it easier for women vets to get screened for breast cancer, which is super important considering we got 18% of all vets being women by 2040... i mean, its not like we cant see the trend but hey, at least its being taken seriously now. permanent telehealth and telescreening mammography in every state? thats a game changer, no more rural areas having to miss out on life-saving screenings because they dont have access to full-service facilities 🌟
 
I'm loving this new bipartisanship 🀝🏼! These women veterans deserve access to life-saving screenings and I'm so glad we're finally making progress on this front πŸ’–. 18% of all US vets by 2040 is crazy, but I think it's awesome that lawmakers are recognizing the growing number of women in our military πŸ™Œ. Telehealth and telescreening mammography is a total game-changer for rural areas where healthcare can be super limited 😊. It just makes sense to give these amazing women access to early-detection services ASAP πŸ’¨. Can't wait to see this bill become law and more women veterans get the care they need ❀️.
 
OMG u guys this is sooo important 🀯! Women veterans deserve access to life-saving breast cancer screenings just like any other citizen. I'm all about empowering our brave women who serve, and this legislation takes it to the next level πŸ’ͺ. Telehealth & telescreening mammography will literally change lives in rural areas where healthcare is super limited 🌳. We need to support this bill 1000% & make sure our veterans get the care they deserve ❀️!
 
🀝 I think it's about time we prioritize healthcare for our veterans, especially women! 🌟 18% of all US veterans by 2040 is a huge number, and it's crazy that some are still missing out on life-saving breast cancer screenings. πŸ™…β€β™€οΈ The idea of permanent telescreening mammography across every state is pure genius πŸ’‘ - no more worrying about finding a mammography facility in rural areas! πŸ’– It's amazing to see bipartisan support for this bill, and I'm all for making healthcare more accessible to everyone 🀝. Plus, early detection is literally the difference between life and death when it comes to cancer treatment πŸš‘πŸ‘©β€βš•οΈ Can't wait to see this legislation become law! πŸ’ͺ
 
🌟 just thinking about women veterans fighting for our country and still dealing with healthcare issues is heartbreaking. 18% of all US vets by 2040? 🀯 that's crazy. if we can get them the same access to care as everyone else, it could literally be a lifesaver πŸ’«
 
🀝 I think it's super cool that these lawmakers are recognizing the needs of women veterans & trying to bridge care gaps in rural areas 🌾. Breast cancer screenings can be life-saving, and it's unacceptable that some women vets don't have access to them because of where they live 🚫. This bill makes sense - having telehealth & telescreening mammography options will definitely help more women vets get the care they need ASAP πŸ’‘. I mean, how hard is it to schedule a simple mammogram appointment online or over the phone? It should be super easy! But I guess sometimes there are just practical limitations πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ. Still, it's great that these bipartisan lawmakers are working together to make this happen & improving outcomes for women vets in need πŸ’•.
 
Ugh, like I know some people are gonna say women serving in the military aren't really "women" anymore... πŸ™„ Newsflash: just 'cause they're serving doesn't mean they don't deserve basic healthcare. 18% of all vets by 2040? That's a big deal! And let's be real, breast cancer screenings ain't rocket science. The VA should already have this covered. It's about time they stepped up their game and made it easier for these women to get the care they need. Permanent telescreening in every state is a no-brainer πŸ“š
 
😊 I'm so glad to hear about this new bipartisan legislation that's gonna help all these amazing women veterans get the breast cancer screenings they deserve πŸ€—. It's crazy how fast we are moving towards recognizing their needs and making sure they have access to the best care possible πŸ’•. I mean, 7,000 screenings already under the 2022 pilot program is a huge step in the right direction πŸš€! And it's not just about the numbers, it's about the lives that will be saved because of this bill πŸ’—. It's heartbreaking to think about women veterans having to travel miles for access to basic care, but this legislation is a beacon of hope ✨. Let's keep pushing forward and supporting these incredible women who are serving our country πŸ™πŸŒŸ
 
I'm glad they're doing something about this πŸ™Œ but we gotta be real, 18% of veterans is still pretty low considering how many women are serving these days... I mean, what about the ones who aren't even aware that they can get screened? Or those in areas with super limited access to healthcare? We need to make sure this bill doesn't just expand services but also makes it easy for them to know about 'em. And permanent authorization is a good start, but we should be pushing for more funding and resources too πŸ€‘
 
πŸ€” just saw this thread about women vets getting more breast cancer screenings 🌟 its crazy how behind we are on taking care of our female vets they need equal access to healthcare too, not just mental health support πŸ₯ i cant believe its 2025 and we still have to fight for basic things like mammograms πŸ’β€β™€οΈ
 
I don't usually comment but I think this bipartisan plan is a great step forward πŸ’‘. As more women join the military, it's essential we address the unique challenges they face 🀝. These women are serving our country and fighting for our freedom, and that deserves equal access to healthcare πŸ™.

The idea of permanent telescreening mammography in every state is a game-changer πŸ“±. It's amazing how technology can bridge gaps in rural areas where full-service facilities are scarce πŸŒ†. I'm all for this bill advancing through both the House and Senate, it could literally save lives πŸ’•.

I don't know about you guys but I think it's time we acknowledge that women veterans have just as much right to quality healthcare as anyone else πŸ’β€β™€οΈ. They're not a special case, they're our country's heroes πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ. Let's support this legislation and make sure these women get the care they deserve πŸ’―
 
πŸ€” I'm thinking... if we're talking about women veterans getting better access to breast cancer screenings, it's like we're not even acknowledging that there are women serving in the military anymore πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ. Like, shouldn't we be more than just talking about expanding healthcare services for them? We should be questioning why they're even in a situation where they need extra help with their health in the first place 🌎.

And what's up with this permanent authorization thingy? Is it because we know that women veterans will keep getting sick and dying from breast cancer if we don't do something, but also because we want to avoid another whole healthcare crisis on our hands? 😬 It feels like we're just patching holes in the system instead of actually fixing it.

Anyway, I guess this is a good start or whatever. Let's hope that by making telescreening permanent and expanding mammography access nationwide, we can at least try to address some of these systemic issues and make sure our women veterans don't have to suffer in silence πŸ’–
 
🀝 I'm loving this new bipartisan bill that's gonna make a huge difference for women vets! 🌟 They're not just serving their country, they deserve top-notch healthcare too πŸ’Š. I mean, think about it - rural areas are already struggling with access to care, and now we've got the VA expanding its mammography services via telehealth πŸ“±. It's a game-changer for early detection and treatment! πŸ‘ I'm all for this bill passing and becoming law ASAP. We gotta make sure these women vets have access to preventive care without any hassle πŸ™Œ. This is about recognizing their service and providing them with the best possible healthcare, no matter where they're stationed πŸ’ͺ. Fingers crossed it gets through the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and into law soon! 🀞
 
omg can you belive theres gonna be more women serving in the military? like thats so cool 😊 i think this bill is a great idea tho we should def have better access to healthcare esp for vets living in rural areas that's just not fair πŸ™…β€β™€οΈ what do u think about them using telehealth for mammograms? did u no they already had a pilot program last year with over 7000 screenings lol thats awesome πŸ‘
 
πŸ€— I think it's so cool that our lawmakers are finally catching up with the demand for better healthcare services for women veterans! The fact that they're proposing a bill to expand access to breast cancer screenings is just amazing, especially since 18% of all US veterans will be women by 2040 πŸš€. It's heartbreaking to think about all those women who might not have access to preventive care in rural areas, but thankfully, this legislation aims to change that πŸ”₯.

I also love how Representative Dexter mentioned that no veteran should have to worry about accessing preventive care πŸ’•. That's so true! It's time for us to make sure our veterans receive the best possible care, especially when it comes to life-saving services like breast cancer screenings πŸŽ‰. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this bill passes and becomes law soon πŸ‘πŸ’–
 
I'm so excited about this new law! 😊 It's awesome that they're recognizing the importance of breast cancer screenings for women veterans, who are increasingly serving our country. I mean, can you imagine having to deal with breast cancer in rural areas where medical facilities are scarce? 🀯 This bill is a game-changer and it's amazing that lawmakers are working together across parties to make this happen.

It's also so inspiring to see representatives like Dexter, who has actual experience as a VA critical-care physician, advocating for better care. πŸ’Ό And the fact that women veterans can now schedule appointments directly with specialists is a huge step forward! πŸ‘ This bill isn't just about expanding access, it's about saving lives. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it passes and becomes law! 🀞
 
🀝 I think it's about time we prioritize healthcare for women veterans! 🌟 They're serving our country just like everyone else, but getting them the same level of care can be super hard. This legislation is a huge step in the right direction. It's crazy to think that some women vets might not have access to breast cancer screenings because they live in rural areas with limited VA facilities πŸ”οΈ. Telehealth and telescreening are the way forward! πŸ’» We need to make sure our heroes get the care they deserve, no matter where they're from. Fingers crossed this bill passes and we see more women veterans getting the help they need 🀞
 
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