Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act

Bill: 117-s-2533
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cancer
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Genetics
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Indian social and development programs
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Minority health
Neurological disorders
Rural conditions and development
Veterans' medical care
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act

 
This bill addresses the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provision of mammograms and breast cancer treatment.
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
submit a strategic plan for improving breast imaging services for veterans,
 
implement a three-year pilot program to provide telemammography services for veterans who live in locations where access to breast imaging services at a VA facility is difficult or unfeasible,
 
upgrade all mammography services at its facilities to use three-dimensional breast imaging,
 
update guidelines to increase the use of testing for the breast cancer gene and genetic counseling for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, and
 
update its policies and directives to ensure that it confirms the accessibility of a breast imaging site when referring a veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder to a non-VA provider.
 
 
In addition, the VA must enter into a partnership with at least one cancer center of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in each Veterans Integrated Service Network to expand access to high-quality cancer care for women veterans. In implementing such partnerships, the VA must ensure that veterans with breast cancer who reside in rural areas or states without a partner cancer center are able to receive care through telehealth.
 
Finally, the VA must collaborate with the Department of Defense and report on all current research and health care collaborations between the departments on treating veterans and members of the Armed Forces with breast cancer.

action_date: 2022-03-10
text: 

Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act

 
This bill addresses the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provision of mammograms and breast cancer treatment.
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
submit a strategic plan for improving breast imaging services for veterans,
 
implement a three-year pilot program to provide telescreening mammography services for veterans who live in locations where access to breast imaging services at a VA facility is difficult or unfeasible,
 
upgrade all mammography services at its facilities to use three-dimensional breast imaging,
 
update guidelines to increase the use of molecular testing and genetic counseling for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, and
 
update its policies and directives to ensure that it confirms the accessibility of a breast imaging site when referring a veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder to a non-VA provider.
 
 
In addition, the VA must enter into a partnership with at least one cancer center of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in each Veterans Integrated Service Network to expand access to high-quality cancer care for women veterans. In implementing such partnerships, the VA must ensure that veterans with breast cancer who reside in rural areas or states without a partner cancer center are able to receive care through telehealth.
 
Finally, the VA must collaborate with the Department of Defense and report on all current research and health care collaborations between the departments on treating veterans and members of the Armed Forces with breast cancer.

action_date: 2022-03-23
text: 

Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act

 
This bill addresses the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provision of mammograms and breast cancer treatment.
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
submit a strategic plan for improving breast imaging services for veterans,
 
implement a three-year pilot program to provide telescreening mammography services for veterans who live in locations where access to breast imaging services at a VA facility is difficult or unfeasible,
 
upgrade all mammography services at its facilities to use three-dimensional breast imaging,
 
update guidelines to increase the use of molecular testing and genetic counseling for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, and
 
update its policies and directives to ensure that it confirms the accessibility of a breast imaging site when referring a veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder to a non-VA provider.
 
 
In addition, the VA must enter into a partnership with at least one cancer center of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in each Veterans Integrated Service Network to expand access to high-quality cancer care for women veterans. In implementing such partnerships, the VA must ensure that veterans with breast cancer who reside in rural areas or states without a partner cancer center are able to receive care through telehealth.
 
Finally, the VA must collaborate with the Department of Defense and report on all current research and health care collaborations between the departments on treating veterans and members of the Armed Forces with breast cancer.

action_date: 2022-05-18
text: 

Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act

 
This bill addresses the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provision of mammograms and breast cancer treatment.
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
submit a strategic plan for improving breast imaging services for veterans;
 
implement a three-year pilot program to provide telescreening mammography services for veterans who live in locations where access to breast imaging services at a VA facility is difficult or unfeasible;
 
upgrade all mammography services at its facilities to use three-dimensional breast imaging;
 
study the availability of access to testing for the breast cancer gene for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, as recommended by the guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network;
 
update guidelines to increase the use of molecular testing and genetic counseling for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer;
 
study the accessibility of breast imaging services at VA facilities for veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injury or disorder, or another disability; and
 
update its policies and directives to ensure that it confirms the accessibility of a breast imaging site when referring a veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder to a non-VA provider.
 
 
The Inspector General of the VA must report to the VA and to Congress on mammography services furnished by the VA.
 
In addition, the VA must enter into a partnership with at least one cancer center of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in each Veterans Integrated Service Network to expand access to high-quality cancer care for women veterans. In implementing such partnerships, the VA must ensure that veterans with breast cancer who reside in rural areas or states without a partner cancer center are able to receive care through telehealth.
 
Finally, the VA must collaborate with the Department of Defense and report on all current research and health care collaborations between the departments on treating veterans and members of the Armed Forces with breast cancer.

action_date: 2022-06-07
text: 

Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act

 
This bill addresses the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provision of mammograms and breast cancer treatment.
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
submit a strategic plan for improving breast imaging services for veterans;
 
implement a three-year pilot program to provide telescreening mammography services for veterans who live in locations where access to breast imaging services at a VA facility is difficult or unfeasible;
 
upgrade all mammography services at its facilities to use three-dimensional breast imaging;
 
study the availability of access to testing for the breast cancer gene for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, as recommended by the guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network;
 
update guidelines to increase the use of molecular testing and genetic counseling for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer;
 
study the accessibility of breast imaging services at VA facilities for veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injury or disorder, or another disability; and
 
update its policies and directives to ensure that it confirms the accessibility of a breast imaging site when referring a veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder to a non-VA provider.
 
 
The Inspector General of the VA must report to the VA and to Congress on mammography services furnished by the VA.
 
In addition, the VA must enter into a partnership with at least one cancer center of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in each Veterans Integrated Service Network to expand access to high-quality cancer care for women veterans. In implementing such partnerships, the VA must ensure that veterans with breast cancer who reside in rural areas or states without a partner cancer center are able to receive care through telehealth.
 
Finally, the VA must collaborate with the Department of Defense and report on all current research and health care collaborations between the departments on treating veterans and members of the Armed Forces with breast cancer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Became Public Law No: 117-135.
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Became Public Law No: 117-135.
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-06-07
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-06-06
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-06-06
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 0 (Roll no. 227). (text: CR H5113-5114)
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 0 (Roll no. 227).
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5170-5171)
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2533.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5112-5115)
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2022-03-24
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-03-24
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-03-24
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-03-23
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S1754-1756; text: CR S1754)
action_date: 2022-03-23
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S1754-1756; text: CR S1754)
action_date: 2022-03-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 303.
action_date: 2022-03-10
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-03-10
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-10-20
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 117-135