Congress Expands Mammograms for Women Veterans

A bipartisan effort in Congress is underway to enhance life-saving breast cancer screenings for women veterans. The Mammography Access for Veterans Act, introduced on February 5, 2026, proposes to permanently authorize telehealth and telescreening mammography across all states. This legislation is designed to bridge existing care gaps, ensuring that veterans, especially those in rural or underserved regions with limited access to full-service VA mammography facilities, can receive essential early-detection services.

The bill, co-led by Representatives Glenn Thompson, Rick Larsen, Jen Kiggans, and Maxine Dexter, aims to build on the positive outcomes of a pilot program initiated by the 2022 MAMMO Act. This pilot demonstrated the feasibility and demand for telemammography, having provided over 7,000 screenings by June 2025. A companion bill in the Senate reflects bicameral support for making these expanded mammography services a permanent nationwide option.

This legislative push coincides with broader VA initiatives to modernize women's health services. Recent updates allow women veterans to schedule appointments with gynecology specialists directly, bypassing previous referral requirements. These efforts collectively aim to streamline access, reduce administrative burdens, and improve healthcare delivery for the expanding population of women veterans.