Dr. Ruiz Introduces the Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act

I am excited to share with you that this week, I announced the introduction of the Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act, legislation that would make veterans exposed to burn bits eligible for low-cost health care from the Veterans Administration.

Jennifer's Story

Nearly two years ago, I met Jennifer Kepner, an Air Force veteran from Cathedral City, who courageously battled pancreatic cancer that her doctor concluded was most probably caused by her exposure to burn pits. Burn pits, which are huge fields where the military burns trash such as batteries, jet fuel, and medical waste, release toxic chemicals, carcinogens, and particulate matter into the air that our servicemembers breathe.

I met with Cathedral City veteran, Jennifer Kepner, in 2017.

Jennifer spent her last months as a leading voice for her fellow veterans exposed to burn pits, while she she fought tooth and nail to get the medical care she needed. Since meeting Jennifer, I've been working to make her vision a reality: to get veterans across the nation the care they've earned and deserved.

About the Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act

On August 13, we announced the introduction of the Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act. Click on the above image to watch!

On Tuesday, August 13, I was humbled to stand alongside Jennifer's husband, Ben, to announce this legislation. You can read more about the Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act here.

• Our inspiration: No veteran who has sacrificed for our nation should have to face the trials Jennifer faced to get the medical care she earned.
• Our solution: I introduced the Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act, legislation named in Jennifer's honor that would make veterans exposed to burn pits eligible for low-cost health care from the Veterans Administration.

Making Jennifer's Vision a Reality

This bipartisan bill is a key component of my public health approach to the burn pits issue.

• Our plan: I am committed to ending the use of burn pits, educating doctors and veterans, taking care of our veterans, and doing the necessary research on the impact burn pits have on our veterans' health.
• Our progress: Last month, the House passed my four amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 that will move us closer to ending the use of burn pits, improve transparency and accountability at the Department of Defense, train doctors to identify the warning signs of rare and life-threatening diseases linked to burn pits.

I will never stop fighting for veterans like Jennifer, whose legacy of empathy and service continue to inspire my advocacy for veterans in our local communities and across our nation. In Jennifer's name, I will continue fighting for the Jennifer Kepner HOPE Act to become law.

Sincerely,

Raul Ruiz, M.D.
Member of Congress