Healthcare

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, hosted a roundtable to hear from local veterans about the impacts they’re experiencing related to workforce cuts in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley was proud to join Planned Parenthood California Central Coast at its annual Power of Love Brunch to celebrate the organization’s work in Ventura County. Below are Congresswoman Brownley’s remarks as prepared.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of the CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act, legislation to ensure children of disabled veterans can remain eligible for VA health care until age 26, the same coverage already provided under the Affordable Care Act for private-sector insurance plans and the military’s TRICARE program.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley reintroduced the Fix FEDVIP Age Act, legislation aimed at addressing an existing gap in federal benefits by allowing children of federal workers and retirees to remain eligible for health care coverage under the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) until the age of 26. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of three bills aimed at strengthening the workforce that serves our nation’s veterans, improving the delivery of health care, and addressing service-related needs. The bills include the VA Marriage and Family Therapists Equity Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act, and the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of three bills to expand and improve health care for our nation’s women veterans. The bills include the Veterans Infertility Treatment Act, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, and the Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of the Dental Care for Veterans Act, a bill that seeks to provide dental care to all veterans enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Supporting Military Families Exposed to Toxic Substances Act (H.R. 10137), legislation that would extend U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits to eligible military and veterans family members exposed to toxic substances.

Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., authored several provisions featured in the bill and called long-term care “one of the biggest challenges facing our aging population and their families.” She praised the House vote as setting the stage for “the single largest expansion of long-term care services at VA in decades.”

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced Congressional action calling on the U.S. Office of Science, Technology, and Policy (OSTP) to issue strong guidance that mitigates risk and misuse of synthetic nucleic acids, a vital bio-material. Brownley’s effort was co-led by Representatives Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Neal P. Dunn, MD (R-FL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Andy Harris, MD (R-MD), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Rich McCormick, MD, MBA (R-GA), August Pfluger (R-TX), and Haley M. Stevens (D-MI), as well as Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), in a letter to OSTP Director Arati Prabhakar urging the agency to issue guidance to gene synthesis providers that will ensure safety, while promoting innovation. 

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced that health care clinician, Cara DelVecchio, will be her guest at this year’s State of the Union Address, which will take place on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. DelVeccio serves as the Lead Clinician for Planned Parenthood California Central Coast’s health center in Thousand Oaks, where she  provides direct patient care. 

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Fix FEDVIP Age Act, legislation which would allow children of federal workers and retirees to remain eligible for health care coverage under the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) until the age of 26, like the coverage benefit under the Affordable Care Act for private-sector insurance plans, as well as the military’s TRICARE program. 

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s Executive Order expanding access to  contraception and family planning services.

“I cannot emphasize this enough: This care will save veterans’ lives,” Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., said at a March news conference urging the VA to act faster to cover surgery for transgender veterans. “Time is of the essence.”

Isabella also met with Rep. Julia Brownley from California’s 26th District and shared with her hopes for a fulfilling life with the same rights as any other teen.

“Allowing VA to provide gender affirming surgery isn’t just the right thing to do. It will undeniably save lives,” said Rep. Julia Brownley, R-Calif., during Wednesday’s rally.

Today, Congresswoman Brownley introduced the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, legislation which would provide women veterans access to the same no-cost contraceptive care as their non-veteran counterparts.

Speakers at the rally included Democratic congressmembers Julia Brownley and Salud Carbajal, who now represents Ventura and Ojai following the recent redistricting.