The Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes Act may soon become law, reports Shira Schoenberg for MassLive.com.
The act would permit victims of terrorist attacks to have access to medical treatment in military hospitals, which have more experience with injuries such as traumatic amputations. At present, civilians can only receive care at military facilities with permission from the Secretary of Defense, at the cost of time and red tape.
Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes both lost legs in the Boston Marathon terrorist bombing and spoke out about the care they received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes Act was part of the National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress earlier this week Thursday. The bill will not become law unless it is signed into law and is issued funding by the Appropriations Committee.
