Sec. 755. GAO study on DOD and VA mammogram and breast cancer screening policies
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/bill/117/hr/7900/pcs/section-755A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review, beginning not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to examine and determine whether current Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs policies allow individuals with dense breast, regardless of age, with no-cost or low-cost access through their health programs to all the screening and diagnostic tools needed to confirm breast cancer, including when standard mammograms are inconclusive or ineffective in doing so. The study conducted pursuant to subsection
(a)shall— examine the utilization of existing screening and diagnosis tools by participants in health programs administered by the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, disaggregated by demographic characteristics; identify and examine barriers to greater access to such tools in each such agency, including whether cost prevents individuals from receiving additional breast cancer diagnostic or screening exams that may confirm the presence of breast cancer; make recommendations on how each such agency can improve policies to best address the unique challenges identifying breast cancer in those with dense breasts; analyze how well such agencies’ policies regarding breast cancer screening and diagnoses for those with dense breast align with coverage under other Federal health care programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, coverage on the Affordable Care Act health care marketplace, and the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force; identify the most recent time that relevant policies were updated by each such agency and how often they are currently reviewed or updated; analyze how well existing policies reflect or include the best available science on helping women with dense breast receive accurate diagnosis regarding the presence or absence of cancer; and identify any efforts by each such agency to educate health care providers who provide cancer screening, treatment, or diagnosis services and patients receiving such services on the limitations of mammograms in confirming breast cancer for those with dense breasts. In conducting the study pursuant to subsection (a), the Comptroller General may consult with breast cancer patients or their advocates receiving care through the health care systems of the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs, health care providers supporting breast cancer care or organizations representing such providers, other Federal agencies, and other stakeholders, as appropriate. Not later than September 30, 2024, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Congress a report on the study conducted pursuant to subsection
(a)containing a description of the study and any findings and conclusions of the study.