BCAN Applauds Bill to Provide Long-Overdue Help to Veteran Bladder Cancer Patients

The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) is pleased that the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which contains a critical provision that will help veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and later developed bladder cancer.

“By passing this bill, veteran bladder cancer patients could get the additional medical benefits that they have long deserved after having nobly served their country,” said Andrea Maddox-Smith, BCAN’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are deeply grateful to Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) for leading efforts in their respective chambers to pass a critical amendment that will help so many veterans suffering from bladder cancer.”

Currently, veterans have to overcome significant bureaucratic hurdles to get their bladder cancer treatments covered. If this bill is signed into law, bladder cancer will now be presumptively connected to their service.

Over the last several years, BCAN has worked with Congressional allies and like-minded health and service organizations to advocate for proper healthcare coverage for veterans who contracted bladder cancer.

With the bill overwhelmingly passing both the House and Senate, it now moves to the President for his signature.