CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA GARCIA INTRODUCES BILL TO ADVANCE CANCER HEALTHCARE FOR FEMALE VETERANS

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) introduced the Veterans' Cancer Care Coordinator Act of 2022 to advance cancer healthcare for female veterans. This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a pilot program for gynecological cancer care coordination, creates the position of a cancer care coordinator in the Women's Veteran Program, and requires Veteran Affairs (VA) to record and report on the success of the program to Congress.

"Women Veterans are the fastest-growing cohort using V.A. healthcare services today," said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. "The median age for these heroes is 51 -- an age at which the risk of cancer is significantly higher. This bill is a strong step forward to providing the healthcare our Nation's women veterans deserve. These heroes served us bravely, now we must do everything in our power to serve them with the dignity and respect they deserve."

This bill has massive national implications as the number of women veterans that receive care from the Veterans Health Administration has tripled between FY 2000 and FY 2015. The United States will likely see an increase in older female veterans in the coming years -- meaning an accelerated need for female cancer care.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Armed Services Committees