LUGPA applauds the unanimous passage of Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act

On September 22, 2020, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act (H.R. 6092) supported by LUGPA. The bill, sponsored by Representative Neal Dunn, MD, directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a standardized clinical pathway for prostate cancer treatment and submit a plan that provides for continual funding for prostate cancer research through the Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development. Additionally, the bill creates a real-time registry to track patient progress and will allow patients greater access to cutting edge clinical trials.

“We are pleased with the overwhelming passage of this legislation that we have supported since it was introduced,” said LUGPA President Richard Harris, MD. “Our political affairs and health policy teams were instrumental in getting this bill passed in the House and we are proud to fight for our country’s heroes receiving prostate cancer treatment through the VA.”

Prostate cancer is the number one cancer diagnosed in the Veterans Health Administration system. LUGPA celebrates Dr. Dunn and the Department of Veterans Affairs for making the effort to improve the lives of the many veterans suffering from prostate cancer and welcome efforts to contribute research and evidence-backed treatment protocols to stem the tide against the disease. The bill is now in the Senate, where yesterday it was read and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. LUGPA will provide further updates as we continue to monitor the progress of this legislation.