38 U.S.C. § 104

STUDY ON AVAILABILITY OF TESTING FOR BREAST CANCER GENE AMONG VETERANS AND EXPANSION OF AVAILABILITY OF SUCH TESTING.

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“(a)Study.—“(1)In general.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a study on the availability of access to testing for the breast cancer gene for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, as recommended by the guidelines set forth by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.“(2)Elements.—In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall examine—“(A) the feasibility of expanding the Joint Medicine Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide genetic testing and counseling for veterans with breast cancer across the country; and“(B) access to such testing and counseling for veterans living in rural or highly rural areas, and any gaps that may exist with respect to such access.“(b)Expansion of Availability of Testing.—“(1)In general.—The Secretary shall update guidelines or institute new guidelines to increase the use of molecular testing and genetic counseling for veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, including veterans living in rural or highly rural areas.“(2)Decision support tools.—In updating or instituting guidelines under paragraph (1), the Secretary may develop clinical decision support tools, such as clinical pathways, to facilitate delivery of breast cancer care that is in line with national cancer guidelines.“(c)Report.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act [June 7, 2022], the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on—“(1) the results of the study under subsection (a);“(2) any updates to guidelines or new guidelines instituted under subsection (b);“(3) breast cancer clinical pathways implemented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the utilization of those pathways across the Department; and“(4) any progress of the Department in improving access to and usage of molecular and genetic testing among veterans diagnosed with breast cancer, including for veterans living in rural or highly rural areas.“(d)Definitions.—In this section, the terms ‘rural’ and ‘highly rural’ have the meanings given those terms in the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding system of the Department of Agriculture.