Memorial Day is one day a year where we come together as a nation to recognize the sacrifice of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have given their lives in defense of our country.  As we approach this special day, I wanted to make sure everyone was aware that yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives demonstrated its support for our nation’s wounded warriors by passing the Servicemembers’ Telemedicine and E-Health Portability (STEP) Act. 

In similar fashion to the manner by which all Americans celebrate Memorial Day, members of both political parties serving in the U.S. House came together in support of this commonsense measure that will dramatically improve how our nation’s warriors access the care they need and deserve.  The STEP Act passed the House this week as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012.

I wish everyone, especially those serving abroad in defense of our nation and all of our Veterans, a great holiday weekend. 

From yesterday’s release:   

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson’s amendment today  passed the full U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote as part of H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012.  The amendment is nearly identical to H.R. 1832, the Servicemembers’ Telemedicine and E-Health Portability (STEP) Act, which Thompson introduced earlier this month. The House passed H.R. 1540 by a vote of 322-96.

The Department of Defense (DOD) currently has limited ability to allow its health care professionals to provide care when the patient is in a different state. Thompson’s measure removes this state licensure burden, empowering the qualified and credentialed DOD health care professionals to use cutting edge telemedicine and e-health applications to treat Servicemembers regardless of their physical proximity.

To watch the floor debate over this amendment, click here.

To view the full release, click here.