I will fight for: Establish Clear Federal Protections for Healthcare Travel
Establish clear federal protections for healthcare travel.
Occurrences
Protect Patients Traveling Across State Lines for Reproductive Health Care, Including Abortion Care
Evidence
Goodlander sent a letter opposing a VA proposed rule that would restore a near-total abortion ban for veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries, and she said the rule threatened access to essential care. The office also noted she had helped introduce the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act.
The bill would make leave for abortion or fertility care time-sensitive and would require the Secretary concerned to reimburse a member or dependent for travel costs when timely care is not available nearby, including transportation, lodging, and meals.
Congress.gov records Goodlander among the cosponsors of H.R. 4876, and the bill history shows only cosponsors being added in 2026 while the measure stayed in committee.
Assessments
Goodlander took concrete federal action in her current House term by cosponsoring or helping introduce bills aimed at reproductive-health and travel-related protections, including measures addressing travel reimbursement or access for servicemembers, veterans, and dependents. However, the cited measures remained introduced or in committee, and the evidence does not show enacted federal protections for healthcare travel. Because the promised outcome was not established despite serious legislative and oversight effort, this is best classified as not delivered with an effort badge.