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S 3395

Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025

119th Congress Introduced by Richard Blumenthal and 4 co-sponsors

Expands VA breast imaging access nationwide by mandating telescreening, full-service, or mobile programs in every state and Puerto Rico, with accessibility for disabled veterans.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
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Bill Summary · S 3395

Summary of Bill: Mammography Access for Veterans Act of 2025 (S. 3395, 119th Congress)

Overview

  • Purpose: Expand and formalize the Department of Veterans Affairs’ telescreening mammography program and broaden access to breast imaging for veterans, including expansion to more locations and formats (in-person, full-service, and mobile programs).
  • Status: Introduced in the Senate on December 9, 2025; referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held in April 2026 (Committee on Veterans' Affairs).

Key Provisions

1) Expansion of the telescreening mammography pilot program

  • The bill repeals references to a pilot program and reorganizes the statutory framework to allow broader implementation.
  • The timelines and reporting structure around the original pilot are replaced with a defined expansion timeline, culminating in more expansive access by the target date of May 1, 2027.

2) Expansion of locations and modalities (by VA)

  • By no later than two years after enactment, the VA must ensure that, in each state and Puerto Rico, the Department offers at least one of the following:
    • The existing tele-screening/mammography program authorized under Section 102 of Public Law 117-135 (the Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options for Veterans Act, 38 U.S.C. 7322 note), as amended.
    • A full-service mammography program within a VA facility.
    • A mobile mammography program operated by the VA.
  • The bill intends to broaden geographic reach and modality to ensure veterans have more access options, including potential rural/remote areas.

3) Accessibility for Veterans with Disabilities

  • All expanded or new mammography programs must be accessible to veterans with disabilities, including paralysis or spinal cord injury, and must comply with applicable accessibility requirements.

4) Construction and Scope (non-preemption)

  • The legislation includes a construction rule stating that nothing in the act prevents VA from expanding tele-screening to VA facilities not previously participating in the pilot or located in states where breast imaging is not otherwise offered at VA facilities. In other words, expansion is allowed beyond the pilot and outside certain states if appropriate.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Target Population: Veterans eligible for VA health care who need access to mammography imaging.
  • VA Facilities: The act affects how VA facilities and programs (telescreening, full-service, and mobile) are deployed and coordinated across states and Puerto Rico.
  • Disability Accessibility: Ensures that veterans with disabilities have accessible imaging services and facilities.

Timelines and Procedural Aspects

  • Enactment Trigger: Upon passage (date not specified in text provided), the expansions and adjustments begin.
  • Expansion Deadline: Within two years after enactment, VA must ensure at least one of the listed program modalities is available in every state and Puerto Rico.
  • Specific Date: The amended trigger for the end of the pilot’s earlier timeframe is May 1, 2027 (as designated in subsection (d) of the amendments to Section 102).
  • Oversight: The bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; hearings were conducted in 2026.

Summary of Impact

  • Purpose-driven: Increase access to breast imaging for veterans through expanded telescreening, full-service, and mobile options.
  • Geographic Reach: Ensure coverage in every state and Puerto Rico.
  • Accessibility: Strengthen accessibility for disabled veterans.
  • Timeline: Clear milestones with a May 1, 2027 target for certain redesignations and completion of broader access goals.

Note: This summary reflects the text and structure as presented. For final language, enforcement details, funding provisions, and potential implementation guidance, refer to the enacted statute and committee reports if/when the bill progresses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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