The act is expected to improve health outcomes by ensuring that veterans diagnosed with cancer are accurately represented in state and national cancer statistics. This includes better tracking of cancer trends, aiding public health officials and researchers to tailor cancer education, screening programs, and treatment effectiveness evaluations. Greater access to comprehensive cancer data may also lead to improved health services planning and resource allocation for veteran-specific cancer care.
Summary
House Bill 7091, known as the 'Counting Veterans’ Cancer Act of 2024', aims to enhance the sharing of cancer-related data between facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and State cancer registries. The bill is prompted by findings indicating a significant number of cancer cases among veterans—approximately 26,500—were unreported to the National Program of Cancer Registries. By mandating the VA to provide comprehensive data regarding cancer diagnoses and treatments of veterans, the legislation seeks to close existing gaps in cancer data collection and improve cancer care for veterans.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding HB7091 is the compliance requirement placed on veterans' medical facilities, which may face operational challenges in implementing the data-sharing mandates. Concerns may arise over the need for timely reporting without necessitating cumbersome data use agreements, as well as potential privacy issues regarding the sharing of veterans' health information. Stakeholders will likely debate how to balance the need for expanded data collection with the operational realities of VA facilities.
Related
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2024 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2024 Supporting Access to Falls Education and prevention and Strengthening Training Efforts and Promoting Safety initiatives for Veterans Act of 2024
Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024 CHANGE Act Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression Act Immigrants’ Mental Health Act of 2024 Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2024 Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2024 Data To Save Moms Act CARE for Moms Act Community Access, Resources, and Empowerment for Moms Act Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2024 Universal School Meals Program Act of 2024
Requires automatic registration with New Jersey Immunization Information System upon administration of vaccine for certain persons who consent to registration.
Requires automatic registration with New Jersey Immunization Information System upon administration of vaccine for certain persons who consent to registration.