Dear friends, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it is very personal to me because both my mother and sister were diagnosed with breast cancer. My mother survived and went through many doctor visits and chemotherapy, but my sister lost her battle at the age of 39. This led me to take testing for the BRCA gene which can indicate if a person is at risk for certain types of cancers. Thankfully, I was negative. Cancer has touched our office as well. Our communications director was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022 and underwent chemotherapy. Today, she is in remission. Since this issue is so personal to me, I’ve cosponsored the following bills in relation to breast and gynecological cancers: -
- This legislation provides funding to states for breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatment services for individuals who are uninsured or lack access to such services.
But women’s healthcare isn’t just limited to cancer - maternity care, fertility care including IVF, newborn care assistance, lactation, menopause, miscarriage, mental health, and substance abuse need to be addressed as well. Other bills I have cosponsored include: - H.R. 3946 FASD Respect Act
- Lead
- This bill expands and establishes programs for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Specifically, it directs the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, and the Health Resources and Services Administration to carry out and coordinate research, surveillance, and related activities to diagnose, prevent, and treat FASD. Furthermore, the bill establishes various grant programs
- H.Res.1043 Resolution Expressing Support for IVF
- Original Cosponsor
- Expressing support for continued access to fertility care and assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, in light of the Supreme Court of Alabama’s ruling that has jeopardized access to in vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology.
- H.Res.1509 National Pregnancy Center Week Resolution
- Original Cosponsor
- Designating the week beginning November 11, 2024, as “National Pregnancy Center Week” to recognize the vital role that community-supported pregnancy centers play in saving lives and serving women and men faced with difficult pregnancy decisions
- H.R. 8715 NEST Act
- Cosponsor
- To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a pilot program under which the Secretary enters into public-private partnerships with eligible entities to distribute to mothers of newborn infant supply kits
- H.R.9049 - HEALTH for MOM Act of 2024
- Cosponsor
- The HEALTH for MOM Act would incentivize states to provide coordinated maternity care for women on Medicaid.
- H.R. 1117 Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act of 2023
- Cosponsor
- This bill establishes programs and requirements to support the inclusion of pregnant and lactating women in clinical research.
- H. Res. 806 World Menopause Awareness Month Resolution
- Cosponsor
- Expressing support for the recognition of October 2024, as “World Menopause Awareness Month” and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding global awareness and access to care during the menopausal transition and post-menopause.
- H.R. 5909 Caring for Grieving Families Act of 2023
- Cosponsor
- The bill would prohibit health plans from retroactively unbundling pregnancy-related services in the event of a miscarriage or stillbirth, resulting in higher copays than the anticipated cost of the bundled payment if miscarriage or stillbirth had not occurred.
- H.R. 3312 Moms Matter Act
- Cosponsor
- The bill will establish a Maternal Mental Health Equity Grant Program to invest in local initiatives supporting people with mental health conditions or substance use disorders during or after pregnancy
- H.R. 4534 Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2024
- Cosponsor
- This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an interagency review of the status of women and lung cancer.
- H.R. 4581 Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024
- Cosponsor
- This bill recognizes that stillbirth, and the disparity in those impacted by stillbirth, requires further prevention programming
- H.R. 451 Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2023
- Cosponsor
- This bill establishes a new federal crime for knowingly misrepresenting the DNA used in reproductive procedures (IVF, IUI, etc.).
Our office continues to be a champion for women’s healthcare, and I will always fight to protect it. It is an honor to represent the people of Nebraska’s Second District. If you need help with a federal agency or other assistance, please reach out here or call my office at 402-938-0300. | Rep. Don Bacon Member of Congress | Sign up for my newsletter to get updates on this issue and others! | Washington, DC Office
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