Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D-WA), Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), and Maxine Dexter (D-OR) introduced the Mammography Access for Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand veterans’ access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Women are the fastest-growing group in the veteran population,” Rep. Larsen said. “As the number of women veterans rapidly increases, VA must continue to modernize its women's health care services. This bill is one step toward ensuring women veterans around the country have access to lifesaving, preventative screenings for breast cancer.”

“Our veterans deserve access to the health care they need, particularly women who have served honorably, and this is just one of the drivers behind the bipartisan Mammography Access for Veterans Act,” Rep. Thompson said. “Early detection of breast cancer leads to better health outcomes and this legislation will save lives, especially of those veteran women living in rural areas, where access to mammography can often be limited.”

“As a pulmonary and critical care physician who served at the VA, I know early detection saves lives,” Rep. Dexter said. “No one—but especially our veterans—should worry about access to preventative healthcare. After all they’ve done for us, making breast cancer screenings more easily accessible is the least we can do.”

The Mammography Access for Veterans Act would expand veterans’ access to breast cancer screenings through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and would permanently authorize telehealth or telescreening mammography for veterans living in rural areas or states where VA does not offer full-service mammography care.

The Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act was signed into law in 2022. As of June 2025, the MAMMO Act Pilot Program was responsible for over 7,000 mammography screenings across the United States.

Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Senator John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Senate companion bill in December.

The Mammography Access for Veterans Act is supported by multiple veterans’ advocacy groups including Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

“PVA supports the introduction of the Mammography Access for Veterans Act, which builds on the success of the VA’s telescreening mammography pilot and removes a critical access barrier for veterans who live where VA doesn’t offer full-service mammography,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer at PVA. “Permanently authorizing tele mammography ensures timely, high-quality screening for veterans. We thank Congressman Thompson for championing this commonsense measure that improves care for veterans across the country.”

“The VA’s telescreening mammography program is a proven lifesaver that advances health equity for our veterans. DAV supports the Mammography Access for Veterans Act, which ensures that every state and Puerto Rico offers telescreening, full-service, or mobile mammography,” said Naomi Mathis, Deputy National Legislative Director at DAV. “By removing barriers to timely preventive care for women veterans and those with disabilities, this legislation can save more lives. We applaud Reps. Thompson, Larsen, Kiggins, and Dexter for their bipartisan leadership in expanding this critical program.”

“The VFW supports the Mammography Access for Veterans Act, which marks an important step to ensure that women veterans receive timely, preventative health care. Expanding mammography access supports early detection, improves outcomes, and addresses care gaps. Accessible, equitable, and responsive preventative care is what veterans deserve,” said Meggan Coleman, VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director. “This legislation is necessary, and it is vital to honor their service. The VFW appreciates Representatives Thompson, Larsen, Kiggins, and Dexter introducing this companion bill and looks forward to its passage into law.”

“The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Tele-Screening Mammography pilot program demonstrated improvements in both access to mammography screening services and communication times for women veterans awaiting results,” said Jose Ramos, WWP Vice President of Government and Community Relations. “WWP supports the Mammography Access for Veterans Act to expand breast cancer screening and treatment for women veterans, particularly those in rural areas. We thank Representatives Thompson, Larsen, Dexter, and Kiggans for their bipartisan leadership on this critical issue.”

“IAVA is thrilled to see such strong bipartisan, bicameral support for the Mammography Access for Veterans Act,” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of IAVA. “Most importantly, this bill will ensure timely and accessible breast cancer screenings nationwide, regardless of where someone lives. As a cancer survivor, I know how important early detection is, and this bill represents a clear show of solidarity and support for our women veterans – showing them that their service is honored through a tangible, actionable commitment to their health, both in and out of uniform.”

“MOAA strongly supports the Mammography Access for Veterans Act because no veteran should face barriers to essential preventative care. This legislation guarantees that every veteran – regardless of location – can access timely, high-quality breast cancer screenings through telescreening, mobile, or in-house programs. Building on the success of the MOAA-backed MAMMO Act enacted in 2022, this bill offers a commonsense solution that saves lives and reinforces VA’s commitment to veterans’ health,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, President and CEO of MOAA.

In his time in Congress, Rep. Larsen has hosted more than 70 forums to hear directly from Northwest Washington state veterans about their needs, including five roundtables in September 2025. Following those conversations, he published ‘Listening to Veterans in Northwest Washington,’ a report capturing local veterans’ most pressing challenges and outlining policy recommendations for Congress and VA to address these concerns. Rep. Larsen submitted this report to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) to ensure Northwest Washington veterans’ voices impact the policy-making process.

After hearing from local veterans about the lack of transportation options to VA health facilities, Rep. Larsen introduced the Veterans Access to Transit Act (VA Transit Act) to establish a Department of Transportation (DOT) pilot program to provide veterans with public transportation to VA facilities and veterans organizations.

You can access the full text of the Mammography Access for Veterans Act HERE.

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