Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Veterans' Access to Breast Cancer Screening and Treatment

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act, a bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Mazie K. Hirono, Jon Tester, John Boozman, and Susan Collins. This bill aims to improve veterans' access to high-quality breast cancer screening and lifesaving cancer care, particularly in rural areas. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Senators' bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a strategic plan to improve breast imaging services, create a telemammography pilot program for veterans in areas where VA does not offer in-house mammography, and expand veterans' access to clinical trials through partnerships with the National Cancer Institute.

Key Takeaways:

  • The MAMMO for Veterans Act would require the VA to develop a strategic plan to improve breast imaging services, create a telemammography pilot program, and expand access to clinical trials through partnerships with the National Cancer Institute.
  • The bill aims to improve veterans' access to high-quality breast cancer screening and lifesaving cancer care, particularly in rural areas.
  • The VA would be required to upgrade its infrastructure, including mammography suites, to use 3-D digital screening.
  • The bill would increase access to testing for individuals in rural areas, reducing the need for long commutes to receive care.
  • Numerous Veterans Service Organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, have praised the lawmakers' efforts to improve and expand veterans' access to critical breast cancer screening and treatment.
  • The bill would also improve access to gender-specific healthcare, such as mammography services, which is a top legislative priority for The American Legion.

Statistics:

  • 88 percent of VA medical centers use 3-D screening (*Source: Veterans of Foreign Wars*)
  • 24 percent of IAVA members live in rural areas (*Source: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America*)
  • The bill would expand access to clinical trials through partnerships with the National Cancer Institute (*Source: Senator Tester*)

Sources:

  • Hawaii Senator Mazie K. Hirono
  • Senator Jon Tester (D-MT)
  • Senator John Boozman (R-AR)
  • Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Deputy Director of National Legislative Services Tammy Barlet
  • Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Legislative Director Joy Ilem
  • American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Associate Executive Director of Government Relations Heather Ansley
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Executive Vice President Tom Porter
  • Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) President of Government and Community Relations Jose Ramos
  • Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) President and Chief Executive Officer Lieutenant General Dana T. Atkins (Ret.)
  • Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Women Veterans Committee Chair Kate O'Hare Palmer
  • Service Women's Action Network (SWAN) Director of Government Operations Captain Lory Manning (Ret.)
  • National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Chief Executive Officer Alan Morgan