Amendments2022—Subsec. (a). Puspan. L. 117–133, § 2(a)(1), inserted span.
Subsec. (span). Puspan. L. 117–133, § 2(a)(2)(A), inserted span.
Subsec. (span)(2)(B). Puspan. L. 117–133, § 2(a)(2)(B), inserted “a record of service in a location and during a period specified in subsection (d),” after “risk factors”.
Subsecs. (c), (d). Puspan. L. 117–133, § 2(a)(3), added subsecs. (c) and (d).
Effective DatePuspan. L. 105–114, title II, § 208(span), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2289, provided that: “The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop the national policy on mammography screening required by section 7322 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and shall furnish such policy in a report to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives, not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 21, 1997]. Such policy shall not take effect before the expiration of 30 days after the date of its submission to those committees.”
Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for VeteransPuspan. L. 117–135, June 7, 2022, 136 Stat. 1244, provided that:“SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.“(a)Short Title.—This Act may be cited as the ‘Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act’.
“(span)Table of Contents.— <span value="I" class="num">“TITLE I—</span><span>SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION</span><section style="-uslm-lc:I580467;"><span value="101" class="num">“SEC. 101.</span><span> STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BREAST IMAGING SERVICES FOR VETERANS.</span><div class="subsection"><span value="a" class="num">“(a)</span><span><span class="inline">In General</span>.—</span><span>Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [<span date="2022-06-07" class="date">June 7, 2022</span>], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a strategic plan for improving breast imaging services for veterans.</span></div><div class="subsection"><span value="span" class="num">“(span)</span><span><span class="inline">Elements</span>.—</span><span>The strategic plan required by subsection (a) shall—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> cover the evolving needs of women veterans;</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> address geographic disparities of breast imaging furnished at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the use of breast imaging through non-Department providers in the community;</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="3" class="num">“(3)</span><span> address the use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT–3D breast imaging);</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="4" class="num">“(4)</span><span> address the needs of male veterans who require breast cancer screening services; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="5" class="num">“(5)</span><span> provide recommendations on—</span><div class="subparagraph"><span value="A" class="num">“(A)</span><span> potential expansion of breast imaging services furnished at facilities of the Department, including infrastructure and staffing needs;</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="B" class="num">“(B)</span><span> the use of digital breast tomosynthesis;</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="C" class="num">“(C)</span><span> the use of mobile mammography; and</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="D" class="num">“(D)</span><span> other access and equity improvements for breast imaging.</span></div></div></div></section><section style="-uslm-lc:I580467;"><span value="102" class="num">“SEC. 102.</span><span> TELESCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY PILOT PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.</span><div class="subsection"><span value="a" class="num">“(a)</span><span><span class="inline">In General</span>.—</span><span>Commencing not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [<span date="2022-06-07" class="date">June 7, 2022</span>], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to provide telescreening mammography services for veterans who live in—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> States where the Department of Veterans Affairs does not offer breast imaging services at a facility of the Department; or</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> locations where access to breast imaging services at a facility of the Department is difficult or not feasible, as determined by the Secretary.</span></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="span" class="num">“(span)</span><span><span class="inline">Duration</span>.—</span><span>The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a three-year period beginning on the commencement of the pilot program.</span></div><div class="subsection"><span value="c" class="num">“(c)</span><span><span class="inline">Locations</span>.—</span><span>In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary may use community-based outpatient clinics, mobile mammography, Federally qualified health centers (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4) of the Social Security Act (<span href="/us/usc/t42/s1395x/aa/4" class="ref"><a href="/uscode/42/1395" target="_blank">42 U.S.C. 1395</a>x(aa)(4)</span>)), rural health clinics, critical access hospitals, clinics of the Indian Health Service, and such other sites as the Secretary determines feasible to provide mammograms under the pilot program.</span></div><div class="subsection"><span value="d" class="num">“(d)</span><span><span class="inline">Sharing of Images and Results</span>.—</span><span>Under the pilot program under subsection (a)—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> mammography images generated shall be sent to a telescreening mammography center of the Department for interpretation by qualified radiologists; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> results shall be shared with the veteran and their primary care provider in accordance with policies established by the Secretary.</span></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="e" class="num">“(e)</span><span><span class="inline">Report.—</span></span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span><span class="inline">In general</span>.—</span><span>Not later than one year after the conclusion of the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report evaluating the pilot program.</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span><span class="inline">Elements</span>.—</span><span>The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:</span><div class="subparagraph"><span value="A" class="num">“(A)</span><span> An assessment of the quality of the mammography provided under the pilot program under subsection (a).</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="B" class="num">“(B)</span><span> Feedback from veterans and providers participating in the pilot program.</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="C" class="num">“(C)</span><span> A recommendation of the Secretary on the continuation or discontinuation of the pilot program.</span></div></div></div></section><section style="-uslm-lc:I580467;"><span value="103" class="num">“SEC. 103.</span><span> UPGRADE OF BREAST IMAGING AT FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO THREE-DIMENSIONAL DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY.</span><span class="indent0" style="-uslm-lc:I21;">“Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [<span date="2022-06-07" class="date">June 7, 2022</span>], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> upgrade all mammography services at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs that provide such services to use digital breast tomosynthesis technology, also known as three-dimensional breast imaging; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report—</span><div class="subparagraph"><span value="A" class="num">“(A)</span><span> indicating that the upgrade under paragraph (1) has been completed; and</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="B" class="num">“(B)</span><span> listing the facilities or other locations of the Department at which digital breast tomosynthesis technology is used.</span></div></div></section><section style="-uslm-lc:I580467;"><span value="104" class="num">“SEC. 104.</span><span> STUDY ON AVAILABILITY OF TESTING FOR BREAST CANCER GENE AMONG VETERANS AND EXPANSION OF AVAILABILITY OF SUCH TESTING.</span><div class="subsection"><span value="a" class="num">“(a)</span><span><span class="inline">Study.—</span></span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span><span class="inline">In general</span>.—</span><span>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on the availability of access to testing for the breast cancer gene for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, as recommended by the guidelines set forth by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span><span class="inline">Elements</span>.—</span><span>In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall examine—</span><div class="subparagraph"><span value="A" class="num">“(A)</span><span> the feasibility of expanding the Joint Medicine Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide genetic testing and counseling for veterans with breast cancer across the country; and</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="B" class="num">“(B)</span><span> access to such testing and counseling for veterans living in rural or highly rural areas, and any gaps that may exist with respect to such access.</span></div></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="span" class="num">“(span)</span><span><span class="inline">Expansion of Availability of Testing.—</span></span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span><span class="inline">In general</span>.—</span><span>The Secretary shall update guidelines or institute new guidelines to increase the use of molecular testing and genetic counseling for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, including veterans living in rural or highly rural areas.</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span><span class="inline">Decision support tools</span>.—</span><span>In updating or instituting guidelines under paragraph (1), the Secretary may develop clinical decision support tools, such as clinical pathways, to facilitate delivery of breast cancer care that is in line with national cancer guidelines.</span></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="c" class="num">“(c)</span><span><span class="inline">Report</span>.—</span><span>Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [<span date="2022-06-07" class="date">June 7, 2022</span>], the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> the results of the study under subsection (a);</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> any updates to guidelines or new guidelines instituted under subsection (span);</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="3" class="num">“(3)</span><span> breast cancer clinical pathways implemented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the utilization of those pathways across the Department; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="4" class="num">“(4)</span><span> any progress of the Department in improving access to and usage of molecular and genetic testing among veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, including for veterans living in rural or highly rural areas.</span></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="d" class="num">“(d)</span><span><span class="inline">Definitions</span>.—</span><span>In this section, the terms ‘rural’ and ‘highly rural’ have the meanings given those terms in the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding system of the Department of Agriculture.</span></div></section><section style="-uslm-lc:I580467;"><span value="105" class="num">“SEC. 105.</span><span> MAMMOGRAPHY ACCESSIBILITY FOR PARALYZED AND DISABLED VETERANS.</span><div class="subsection"><span value="a" class="num">“(a)</span><span><span class="inline">Study.—</span></span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span><span class="inline">In general</span>.—</span><span>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on the accessibility of breast imaging services at facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans with paralysis, spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D), or another disability.</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span><span class="inline">Accessibility</span>.—</span><span>The study required by paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the accessibility of the physical infrastructure at breast imaging facilities of the Department, including the imaging equipment, transfer assistance, and the room in which services will be provided as well as adherence to best practices for screening and treating veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder.</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="3" class="num">“(3)</span><span><span class="inline">Screening rates.—</span></span><div class="subparagraph"><span value="A" class="num">“(A)</span><span><span class="inline">Measurement</span>.—</span><span>The study required by paragraph (1) shall include a measurement of breast cancer screening rates for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder during the two-year period preceding the commencement of the study, including a breakout of the screening rates for such veterans living in rural or highly rural areas.</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="B" class="num">“(B)</span><span><span class="inline">Development of method</span>.—</span><span>If the Secretary is unable to provide the measurement required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall develop a method to track breast cancer screening rates for veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder.</span></div></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="4" class="num">“(4)</span><span><span class="inline">Report</span>.—</span><span>Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [<span date="2022-06-07" class="date">June 7, 2022</span>], the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the study required by paragraph (1), including—</span><div class="subparagraph"><span value="A" class="num">“(A)</span><span> the rates of screening among veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder, including veterans living in rural or highly rural areas, as required under paragraph (3)(A); or</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="B" class="num">“(B)</span><span> if such rates are not available, a description of the method developed to measure such rates as required under paragraph (3)(B).</span></div></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="span" class="num">“(span)</span><span><span class="inline">Care From Non-Department Providers</span>.—</span><span>The Secretary shall update the policies and directives of the Department to ensure that, in referring a veteran with a spinal cord injury or disorder for care from a non-Department provider, the Secretary shall—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> confirm with the provider the accessibility of the breast imaging site, including the imaging equipment, transfer assistance, and the room in which services will be provided; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> provide additional information to the provider on best practices for screening and treating veterans with a spinal cord injury or disorder.</span></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="c" class="num">“(c)</span><span><span class="inline">Definitions</span>.—</span><span>In this section, the terms ‘rural’ and ‘highly rural’ have the meanings given those terms in the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding system of the Department of Agriculture.</span></div></section><section style="-uslm-lc:I580467;"><span value="106" class="num">“SEC. 106.</span><span> REPORT ON ACCESS TO AND QUALITY OF MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENINGS FURNISHED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.</span><div class="subsection"><span value="a" class="num">“(a)</span><span><span class="inline">In General</span>.—</span><span>Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [<span date="2022-06-07" class="date">June 7, 2022</span>], the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on mammography services furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs.</span></div><div class="subsection"><span value="span" class="num">“(span)</span><span><span class="inline">Elements</span>.—</span><span>The report required by subsection (a) shall include an assessment of—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> the access of veterans to mammography screenings, whether at a facility of the Department or through a non-Department provider, including any staffing concerns of the Department in providing such screenings;</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> the quality of such screenings and reading of the images from such screenings, including whether such screenings use three-dimensional mammography;</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="3" class="num">“(3)</span><span> the communication of the results of such screenings, including whether results are shared in a timely manner, whether results are shared via the Joint Health Information Exchange or another electronic mechanism, and whether results are incorporated into the electronic health record of the veteran;</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="4" class="num">“(4)</span><span> the performance of the Women’s Breast Oncology System of Excellence of the Department; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="5" class="num">“(5)</span><span> the access of veterans diagnosed with breast cancer to a comprehensive breast cancer care team of the Department.</span></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="c" class="num">“(c)</span><span><span class="inline">Follow-Up</span>.—</span><span>Not later than 180 days after the submittal of the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a plan to address the deficiencies identified in the report under subsection (a), if any.</span></div></section><span value="II" class="num">“TITLE II—</span><span>PARTNERSHIPS FOR RESEARCH AND ACCESS TO CARE</span><section style="-uslm-lc:I580467;"><span value="201" class="num">“SEC. 201.</span><span> PARTNERSHIPS WITH NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE TO EXPAND ACCESS OF VETERANS TO CANCER CARE.</span><div class="subsection"><span value="a" class="num">“(a)</span><span><span class="inline">Access to Care in Each VISN.—</span></span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span><span class="inline">In general</span>.—</span><span>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall enter into a partnership with not fewer than one cancer center of the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health in each Veterans Integrated Service Network of the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand access to high-quality cancer care for women veterans.</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span><span class="inline">Treatment of rural veterans</span>.—</span><span>The Secretary, in carrying out partnerships entered into under paragraph (1), shall ensure that veterans with breast cancer who reside in rural areas or States without a cancer center that has entered into such a partnership with the Secretary are able to receive care through such a partnership via telehealth.</span></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="span" class="num">“(span)</span><span><span class="inline">Report on Partnership To Increase Access to Clinical Trials</span>.—</span><span>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [<span date="2022-06-07" class="date">June 7, 2022</span>], the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> how the Secretary will ensure that the advancements made through the existing partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cancer Institute to provide veterans with access to clinical cancer research trials (commonly referred to as ‘NAVIGATE’) are permanently implemented; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> the determination of the Secretary of whether expansion of such partnership to more than the original 12 facilities of the Department that were selected under such partnership is feasible.</span></div></div><div class="subsection"><span value="c" class="num">“(c)</span><span><span class="inline">Periodic Reports</span>.—</span><span>Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> assessing how the partnerships entered into under subsection (a)(1) have impacted access by veterans to cancer centers of the National Cancer Institute, including an assessment of the telehealth options made available and used pursuant to such partnerships; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> describing the advancements made with respect to access by veterans to clinical cancer research trials through the partnership described in subsection (span)(1), including how many of those veterans were women veterans, minority veterans (including racial and ethnic minorities), and rural veterans, and identifying opportunities for further innovation.</span></div></div></section><section style="-uslm-lc:I580467;"><span value="202" class="num">“SEC. 202.</span><span> REPORT BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ON INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION ON TREATING AND RESEARCHING BREAST CANCER.</span><div class="subsection"><span value="a" class="num">“(a)</span><span><span class="inline">In General</span>.—</span><span>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [<span date="2022-06-07" class="date">June 7, 2022</span>], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in collaboration with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report on all current research and health care collaborations between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense on treating veterans and members of the Armed Forces with breast cancer.</span></div><div class="subsection"><span value="span" class="num">“(span)</span><span><span class="inline">Elements</span>.—</span><span>The report required by subsection (a)—</span><div class="paragraph"><span value="1" class="num">“(1)</span><span> shall include a description of potential opportunities for future interagency collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense with respect to treating and researching breast cancer; and</span></div><div class="paragraph"><span value="2" class="num">“(2)</span><span> may include a focus on—</span><div class="subparagraph"><span value="A" class="num">“(A)</span><span> with respect to women members of the Armed Forces with a diagnosis of or who are undergoing screening for breast cancer, transition of such members from receiving care from the Department of Defense to receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs;</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="B" class="num">“(B)</span><span> collaborative breast cancer research opportunities between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense;</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="C" class="num">“(C)</span><span> access to clinical trials; and</span></div><div class="subparagraph"><span value="D" class="num">“(D)</span><span> such other matters as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense consider appropriate.”</span></div></div></div></section>
Sense of CongressPuspan. L. 105–114, title II, § 208(c), Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2290, provided that: “It is the sense of Congress that the policy developed under section 7322 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall be in accordance with the guidelines endorsed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the National Institutes of Health.”
