References in Text
The date of the enactment of the Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans In Combat Environments Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is the date of enactment of [Pub. L. 117–133], which was approved June 7, 2022.
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a). [Pub. L. 117–133, § 2(a)(1)], inserted heading.
Subsec. (b). [Pub. L. 117–133, § 2(a)(2)(A)], inserted heading.
Subsec. (b)(2)(B). [Pub. 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). [Pub. L. 117–133, § 2(a)(3)], added subsecs. (c) and (d).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
[Pub. L. 105–114, title II, § 208(b)], 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 Veterans
[Pub. 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’.
“TITLE I—
SCREENING AND EARLY DETECTION
“SEC. 101.
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BREAST IMAGING SERVICES FOR VETERANS.
“(a)
In General.—
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [June 7, 2022], 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.
“(b)
Elements.—
The strategic plan required by subsection (a) shall—
“(1)
cover the evolving needs of women veterans;
“(2)
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;
“(3)
address the use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT–3D breast imaging);
“(4)
address the needs of male veterans who require breast cancer screening services; and
“(5)
provide recommendations on—
“(A)
potential expansion of breast imaging services furnished at facilities of the Department, including infrastructure and staffing needs;
“(B)
the use of digital breast tomosynthesis;
“(C)
the use of mobile mammography; and
“(D)
other access and equity improvements for breast imaging.
“SEC. 102.
TELESCREENING MAMMOGRAPHY PILOT PROGRAM OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
“(a)
In General.—
Commencing not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [June 7, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to provide telescreening mammography services for veterans who live in—
“(1)
States where the Department of Veterans Affairs does not offer breast imaging services at a facility of the Department; or
“(2)
locations where access to breast imaging services at a facility of the Department is difficult or not feasible, as determined by the Secretary.
“(b)
Duration.—
The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a three-year period beginning on the commencement of the pilot program.
“(c)
Locations.—
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 (
42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(4))), 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.
“(d)
Sharing of Images and Results.—
Under the pilot program under subsection (a)—
“(1)
mammography images generated shall be sent to a telescreening mammography center of the Department for interpretation by qualified radiologists; and
“(2)
results shall be shared with the veteran and their primary care provider in accordance with policies established by the Secretary.
“(e)
Report.—
“(1)
In general.—
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.
“(2)
Elements.—
The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
“(A)
An assessment of the quality of the mammography provided under the pilot program under subsection (a).
“(B)
Feedback from veterans and providers participating in the pilot program.
“(C)
A recommendation of the Secretary on the continuation or discontinuation of the pilot program.
“SEC. 103.
UPGRADE OF BREAST IMAGING AT FACILITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO THREE-DIMENSIONAL DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY.
“Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [June 7, 2022], the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—
“(1)
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
“(2)
submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report—
“(A)
indicating that the upgrade under paragraph (1) has been completed; and
“(B)
listing the facilities or other locations of the Department at which digital breast tomosynthesis technology is used.
“SEC. 104.
STUDY ON AVAILABILITY OF TESTING FOR BREAST CANCER GENE AMONG VETERANS AND EXPANSION OF AVAILABILITY OF SUCH TESTING.
“(a)
Study.—
“(1)
In general.—
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.
“(2)
Elements.—
In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall examine—
“(A)
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
“(B)
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.
Sense of Congress
[Pub. 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.”