Bill Overview
Title: Hannah Cvancara Service Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of Defense or military departments from excluding a person with an amputated limb from assignment to a medical personnel position if such an individual meets physical fitness and other required standards for the position.
Sponsors: Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with amputated limbs eligible for medical personnel roles in military
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill specifically aims to remove restrictions against persons with amputated limbs from serving in medical personnel positions in the military.
- The U.S. has a significant population of military veterans and active duty service members, some of whom may have amputated limbs due to combat or service-related incidents.
- Many individuals with amputations seek to continue or begin careers that utilize their skills and experiences, such as medics or nurses within military contexts.
- The bill focuses on equality of opportunity for people with disabilities, particularly amputees, in military service globally.
- Globally, similar policies may or may not exist, but in the U.S., this impacts military medical roles directly.
Reasoning
- The Hannah Cvancara Service Act removes limits that prevent people with amputated limbs from serving in specific medical roles in the military. Given the number of veterans and current serving members who could be affected, the policy targets a niche group with specific needs.
- Simulating interviews involves considering the people who would be directly impacted and those indirectly aware of changes. It includes perspectives from military personnel, potential recruits, veterans, and members of healthcare communities.
- The budget indicates that the policy is cost-effective and focuses on personnel assignment changes rather than the need for new facilities or equipment, allowing it to focus on inclusion policies.
Simulated Interviews
Ex-military medic (San Diego, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives hope to many veterans like me who wish to serve again but have faced barriers.
- Being a military medic was my passion, and this would allow me to use my experience in a way that's fulfilling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Military recruitment officer (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Act is a significant step for equal opportunity in the military.
- It aligns recruitment policies with modern inclusive practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Veteran advocate (Houston, TX)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is transformative and long overdue for amputees who want to return to military service.
- It brings opportunities to dedicated individuals wanting to serve again.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Physical therapist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Physically capables should not be barred from deploying their skills.
- This will boost morale and provide role models for newly injured veterans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Retired military captain (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While retired, I see this as a great move towards fairness.
- This provides new career opportunities for many of my former colleagues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cadet, military academy (New York, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always wanted to serve in the medical units and not be constrained by unnecessary rules.
- Feels like a chance at redemption and showing what I can do despite my injury.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Nurse (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I thrive on inclusive advancements in my profession and welcome this kind of policy.
- This could boost a great number of my colleagues' career growth and satisfaction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Military law consultant (Denver, CO)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There may be legal hurdles initially, but overall a positive shift towards equality.
- I'm interested to see how this impacts our service legal doctrines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Military spouse (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might have inspired my husband to pursue further service paths.
- It affects morale on a family level, giving new hope and opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Psychologist specializing in military personnel (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial to factor in mental health aspects of allowing new career paths.
- Positive psychological impacts will likely ripple through the community of affected individuals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $1000000 (Low: $750000, High: $2000000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $1000000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $400000, High: $1000000)
Year 10: $250000 (Low: $200000, High: $500000)
Year 100: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $200000)
Key Considerations
- The primary cost is administrative, involving policy updates and training of personnel to align with new inclusive criteria.
- Savings could arise from retaining experienced personnel who might otherwise leave the military due to medical discharge.
- The effects on social equity and morale imply non-quantifiable benefits that extend beyond fiscal analysis.