Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Debbie Wasserman Schultz serves as a Member of Congress from South Florida, representing parts of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties since 2004, when she made history as Florida's first Jewish Congresswoman. Her legislative focus on healthcare access and family safety took on personal significance in 2008 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41 and subsequently learned she carried the BRCA-2 gene mutation. After undergoing seven surgeries over six years to become cancer-free, she transformed her experience into meaningful legislation by creating the Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act, which became law as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. This legislation helps young women access essential tools and resources for early breast cancer detection. Her commitment to healthcare advocacy extends beyond her personal experience, as she continues to champion policies that promote access to quality, affordable healthcare and protect the safety and health of children and families. Her journey from cancer patient to survivor-advocate demonstrates the powerful intersection of personal experience and public policy in creating meaningful healthcare legislation.