Bill Overview
Title: Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act
Description: This bill expands eligibility for Veterans Health Administration mammography screenings to veterans who served in certain locations during specified periods, including those who were exposed to toxic substances at such locations. The specified locations and corresponding time periods include Iraq between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, and from March 19, 2003, until burn pits (areas used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment) are no longer used in Iraq; the Southwest Asia theater of operations, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in such locations; Afghanistan, Djibouti, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and Yemen from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in such locations; and other locations and time periods as determined by the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. The bill specifies that the listed locations do not include bodies of water around or airspace above such locations.
Sponsors: Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans exposed to burn pits in specified combat zones and periods
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill focuses on veterans, particularly those who served in specified locations.
- The bill is relevant to veterans exposed to toxic substances, particularly from burn pits.
- Mammography screenings are medical procedures typically associated with breast cancer detection; thus, the primary impacted group would be female veterans and male veterans at risk of breast cancer.
- The number of veterans who served in the specified combat zones and periods need to be considered.
- Burn pits were commonly used during the Gulf War and the post-9/11 military operations.
Reasoning
- The primary beneficiaries of the policy will be veterans, especially those who served in combat zones mentioned in the policy and were potentially exposed to burn pits.
- Given the small percentage of female veterans who might have served in these areas, it is crucial to include male veterans in scenarios as they can also be at risk for breast cancer, albeit less frequently.
- We should ensure a distribution of interviews that reflects both genders and veterans across different ages and stages of concern related to exposure.
- The policy's cost and duration suggest a focus on those significantly impacted potentially before serious health issues manifest.
- Not all veterans will be aware of being part of this risk pool, so outreach and access to information should also be noted.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I always worry about the long-term health effects from my service.
- This policy gives me some peace of mind knowing I can access screenings without additional cost.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Veteran (California)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see that they're finally addressing these issues.
- I wouldn't have thought breast cancer was a risk for men from my service, but any health support is welcome.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Florida)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- At my age, any additional screening can make a big difference.
- I feel forgotten sometimes, so this feels like recognition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Civilian contractor (Virginia)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was around burn pits, but this policy doesn’t seem to include contractors.
- It highlights it's mostly veterans who are recognized, which is unfair to us too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Veteran's advocate (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My mother would have benefited greatly from this policy.
- It's an essential step forward for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Healthcare worker (Colorado)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these help us provide better health education and screenings for veterans.
- Awareness is crucial for early detection, so I see this as a game changer.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Veteran and educator (Georgia)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I advocate for more such initiatives; too often the health issues aren't visible until it's late.
- This increases my awareness and hopefully many others'.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Veterans outreach coordinator (Ohio)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies expand the resources we offer to veterans.
- Funding helps us reach those we couldn't before.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Social worker (Washington)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The acknowledgment of physical and mental health in policies is crucial.
- I'm hopeful this improves holistic health care strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
IT Specialist (North Carolina)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's comforting to know health screenings aren’t limited to specific groups anymore.
- I only recently learned how severe burn pit exposure's effects can be.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $210000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $210000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 3: $210000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 5: $210000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 10: $210000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 100: $210000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill is focused on expanding access to healthcare screenings which may lead to early detection of illnesses among veterans, potentially improving health outcomes.
- A key challenge will be ensuring that the VA has the capacity to manage the increased demand for services without compromising quality or accessibility.
- There may be public pressure and expectations for other types of screenings as a result of this policy.