Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act

Bill Number: H.R. 1860
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-09-16: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T19:38:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act" (H.R. 1860) aims to improve the coordination and quality of breast and gynecologic cancer care for eligible women veterans by establishing dedicated regional coordinators within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It expands the role of the VA's Breast and Gynecologic Oncology System of Excellence (BGOSoE), a specialized program focused on these cancers. Additionally, it extends a deadline related to limits on certain pension payments.

Key Provisions

Establishment of Regional Coordinators: Within one year of enactment, the VA Secretary must hire or designate a Regional Breast Cancer and Gynecologic Cancer Care Coordinator in each Veteran Integrated Services Network (VISN, a regional grouping of VA medical facilities). These coordinators report directly to the BGOSoE Director.
Eligibility for Care Coordination: Veterans qualify if they are diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer (including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar cancer, or gestational trophoblastic neoplasia) or a precancerous condition, and are eligible for care through the Veterans Community Care Program (which allows treatment at non-VA facilities when VA services are unavailable or delayed).
Regional Setup: The VA must define regions that align with existing VISNs, assign all VA facilities to these regions, and consider veterans' needs, especially in rural areas.
Duties of Coordinators:
Coordinate care between VA clinicians and community (non-VA) providers.
Collaborate with the VA's Office of Community Care.
Maintain regular contact with veterans based on their medical needs.
Monitor services, health outcomes (e.g., remission, metastasis, death), and data (e.g., demographics and treatment numbers) using VA databases.
Provide veterans with information on emergency care (including notifying the VA within 72 hours for payment authorization) and mental health resources (e.g., follow-up for depression).
Document contacts, provider information, and diagnoses in veterans' electronic health records.
Perform other duties as determined by the VA Secretary.
Reporting Requirement: Within three years of enactment, the VA Secretary must submit a report to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs, including:
Comparisons of health outcomes, timeliness of care, and patient safety (e.g., "never events" like surgical errors) between VA facilities and community providers.
Data on diagnoses, cancer-related deaths, remission rates, and appointment scheduling.
Recommendations for improvements and additional resources.
Definitions: Clarifies terms like "community care provider" (non-VA providers contracted for veteran care) and "breast and gynecologic cancer community care provider" (those specializing in these cancers under VA contracts).
Pension Payment Extension: Amends 38 U.S.C. § 5503(d)(7) to extend the limit on certain pension payments from November 30, 2031, to September 30, 2032 (this provision appears unrelated to the cancer care focus).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces new mandatory positions (regional coordinators) and reporting obligations within the VA's oncology framework, building on the existing BGOSoE and Veterans Community Care Program (under 38 U.S.C. § 1703).
Expands coordination requirements for cancer care, including data monitoring and documentation in electronic health records, which were not previously specified for these conditions.
Makes a minor technical adjustment to pension payment limits in 38 U.S.C. § 5503, simply extending a deadline without altering the underlying rules.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The VA will need to allocate resources for hiring/designating coordinators, regional planning, data tracking, and reporting, potentially increasing administrative and operational costs but improving care efficiency.
On Citizens: Eligible women veterans, particularly those in rural areas or relying on community care, may experience better access to coordinated treatment, faster appointments, and support for mental health, leading to improved health outcomes like higher remission rates and fewer care errors.
On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic VA operations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Women Veterans: Primary beneficiaries, especially those with breast or gynecologic cancers or precancerous conditions seeking community-based care.
VA and BGOSoE: Responsible for implementation, including hiring, training, and reporting.
Community Care Providers: Non-VA doctors and facilities contracted for cancer treatment, who will interact more closely with VA coordinators.
Congressional Committees on Veterans' Affairs: Receive the required report and oversee VA compliance.
Rural Veterans: Indirectly benefit from region-specific considerations addressing access challenges.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens VA's obligations under Title 38 of the U.S. Code for veteran health care coordination, potentially setting precedents for similar roles in other medical areas. The report could inform future legislation on resource allocation.
Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I, Section 8 to provide for veterans' welfare; no apparent conflicts with due process or equal protection, though it emphasizes women's health issues within the veteran population.
Political: Highlights bipartisan focus on veterans' health, particularly women's cancer care, amid ongoing debates on VA funding and rural access. The unrelated pension extension may reflect procedural bundling of minor fiscal adjustments. No major controversies noted in the bill text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]

Recent Actions

2025-09-16: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
2025-09-15: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-09-15: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4282)
2025-09-15: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4282-4283: 1)
2025-09-15: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1860.
2025-09-15: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4282)
2025-09-15: Mr. Bost moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-07-29: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 178.
2025-07-29: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-220.
2025-07-29: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-220.
2025-05-06: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-03-25: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
2025-03-25: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-03-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
2025-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Bill Versions

Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (10 pages)
Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act — issued 2025-03-05 — PDF (8 pages)
Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (8 pages)
Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordination Act — issued 2025-07-29 — PDF (10 pages)