POPCaP Act of 2026

This bill mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a precision oncology program for prostate cancer . This program aims to provide advanced, personalized care for veterans diagnosed with prostate cancer by integrating genetic sequencing and biomarker-specific treatments. It designates 28 initial VA medical facilities as provisional centers of excellence to deliver these specialized services, ensuring a minimum of 21 operational centers across all Veterans Integrated Service Networks. These centers are required to conduct activities such as genetic sequencing for advanced prostate cancer, participate in telemedicine tumor boards, and develop biomarker-specific clinical trials. Each center must be staffed with a medical oncologist, interventional radiologist, urologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist, and two research staff members. A Program Leadership team will coordinate strategic initiatives, research, and maintain a prostate cancer registry and data repository. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must implement the program by January 1, 2027, and submit annual reports to Congress detailing its progress, funding, and veteran outcomes. The bill authorizes an appropriation of $15.5 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 to carry out the program.