Collins, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Veteran Access to Breast Cancer Screening & Care

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Jon Tester (D-MT), John Boozman (R-AR), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced bipartisan legislation to expand access to high-quality breast cancer screening and life-saving care for veterans.

“We owe it to our veterans to provide them with the high-quality health care they have earned through their service to our country,” said Senator Collins. “By improving breast cancer detection and prevention services at the VA, our bipartisan bill would better support those affected by this devastating disease and promote the health and well-being of our veterans.”

“Women veterans may be exposed to a variety of toxic and environmental hazards during military service that put them at risk for developing breast cancer, making early detection a critical component of their health care,” said Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Legislative Director Joy Ilem. “DAV applauds Senators Tester, Boozman, Hirono, and Collins for introducing the bipartisan Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act which will ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs has a plan for making high-quality, potentially life-saving breast imaging services more accessible to women veterans.”

The Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act would require 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.

The MAMMO for Veterans Act would also require VA to upgrade all in-house breast imaging to 3D mammography, which is considered the gold standard imaging technology for mammography. In addition, it would direct VA to expand partnerships for clinical trials and research on breast cancer care and emphasize improving access to care for women veterans, rural veterans, and disabled and paralyzed veterans.

Click HERE to read the bill text.

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