Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act

The Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish Regional Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Care Coordinators at each Veteran Integrated Services Network (VISN) within one year. These coordinators will report to the Director of the Breast and Gynecologic Oncology System of Excellence. Their primary role is to enhance care coordination for women veterans diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancers , or precancerous conditions, who receive care through the Veterans Community Care Program at non-Department facilities. The Care Coordinators will ensure seamless coordination between VA clinicians and community care providers, making regular contact with veterans and documenting their care in electronic health records. They are also responsible for monitoring the services provided, tracking health outcomes such as remission and metastasis, and collecting data on the demographics and treatment of affected veterans. Additionally, they will provide crucial information to veterans regarding emergency care and mental health resources. Within three years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit a comprehensive report to Congress. This report will compare health outcomes for veterans receiving cancer care at VA facilities versus community providers, assessing treatment effectiveness, timeliness of care, and patient safety. It will also evaluate necessary changes or additional resources to improve breast and gynecologic cancer care and coordination. Finally, the bill includes a provision to extend certain limits on pension payments under title 38, United States Code, from November 30, 2031, to September 30, 2032.