In 2021, Congress passed the Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act (P.L. 117-135), which increased access to mammography screening for veterans. A provision within the bill authorized a three-year pilot program for tele-mammography services.

Despite gains related to mammography access across the VA system, there are still more than 20 states that lack an in-house mammography unit. Gaps in care still exist and through the pilot program, more than 7,000 preventative screenings were conducted across the initial five pilot sites. These numbers prove that the tele-mammography program was successful and should be permanently authorized.

If passed, the Mammography Access for Veterans Act would:

• Build on the success of the MAMMO Act passed in the 117th Congress.
• Fills gaps in care for veterans who lack access to in-house mammography at VA facilities.
• Require VA to offer access to a tele-screening mammography program; a full-service, in-house mammography program; or a mobile mammography program in each state.
• Require VA to ensure to the extent practicable that each option is accessible for SCI/D veterans.

 

PVA Position:

Congress must pass the Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025 (H.R. 7411/S. 3395). This legislation would permanently authorize the tele-mammography pilot program, which would fill critical gaps in care for veterans.