McMorris Rodgers’ bill would give amputees equal treatment in Armed Forces

Individuals who have a non-service-connected amputation should still be able to serve in the United States Armed Forces as medical personnel, according to U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).

To ensure they are able to do so, the congresswoman on Feb. 16 sponsored the Hannah Cvancara Service Act, H.R. 7405, named for a Spokane, Wash., resident who suffered a childhood amputation that disqualified her from serving as a nurse in the U.S. Navy.

If enacted, H.R. 7405 would prevent the U.S. Department of Defense from prohibiting an otherwise qualified individual from serving, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ staff.

“Hannah’s courageous pursuit of her dream to serve in the United States Armed Forces echoes the proud tradition of service in her family,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said on Wednesday. “We are blessed to live in a country with people like Hannah who are willing to put service before self and exemplify the deep-rooted commitment to duty and sacrifice that defines our military.

“We should not be denying selfless individuals like Hannah the chance to serve when they are fit to do so, which is why I am proud to support her in the fight to break down this barrier for future generations of service members,” she added.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers first met Cvancara in 2013 when she was selected as Miss Spokane on a pageant platform of “Honoring Their Sacrifice: Recognizing and Supporting our Disabled Veterans.” 

Since graduating with a nursing degree in 2019 from Eastern Washington University, where she successfully completed the Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge, Cvancara has worked as an orthopedic nurse, according to the summary.

In November 2021, Rep. McMorris Rodgers asked the U.S. Secretary of the Navy to give Cvancara’s medical exemption request full and fair consideration, and in January 2022 she urged the U.S. Secretary of Defense to update the code preventing Cvancara from serving her country. 

Rep. McMorris Rodgers introduced H.R. 7405 in response to inaction by both secretaries in the hopes of changing policy and making it easier for amputees who want to serve their country to do so, says the summary.