Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act
Summary
The Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act aims to improve breast and gynecologic cancer care for women veterans. It mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate Regional Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Care Coordinators within each Veteran Integrated Services Network (VISN). These coordinators will ensure care coordination between VA clinicians and community care providers.
The Act also requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report to Congress comparing health outcomes of veterans receiving cancer care at VA facilities versus non-Department facilities. This report will evaluate the effectiveness of care coordination and identify areas for improvement.
Finally, the Act extends certain limits on payments of pension under title 38, United States Code.
Expected Effects
This Act will likely improve the coordination and quality of cancer care for women veterans. It will also provide better access to community care providers. The required report will provide valuable data for assessing and improving the VA's cancer care programs.
The extension of pension payment limits will provide continued financial support to eligible veterans. This ensures their access to essential resources.
Ultimately, this Act should lead to better health outcomes and a higher quality of life for women veterans battling breast and gynecologic cancers.
Potential Benefits
- Improved coordination of care for women veterans with breast and gynecologic cancers.
- Enhanced access to community care providers through the Veterans Community Care Program.
- Regular contact with veterans based on their specific medical needs.
- Comprehensive monitoring of services and health outcomes.
- Provision of information on emergency care and mental health resources.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on the VA.
- Possible delays in implementation due to the one-year timeframe for hiring or designating care coordinators.
- Risk of inconsistent care coordination if community care providers are not adequately integrated into the VA system.
- The act does not address the root causes of cancer, focusing instead on treatment and coordination.
- Requires additional resources from the VA, which could strain existing programs if not properly funded.
Constitutional Alignment
This Act appears to align with the constitutional mandate to provide for the general welfare of the United States, as it seeks to improve healthcare services for veterans. Specifically, it falls under Congress's power to legislate for the armed forces and veterans, as outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.
The Act does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Constitution. It focuses on improving healthcare access and coordination within the existing VA system.
Furthermore, the reporting requirement ensures accountability and transparency, aligning with the principles of responsible governance.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).