POPCaP Authorization Act of 2026
Veterans diagnosed with prostate or other urinary-system cancers will gain access to specialized genetic testing, personalized clinical trials, and travel support to participate in medical studies. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will establish at least 21 specialized cancer care centers nationwide, ensuring each has a dedicated team of oncologists, radiologists, and research staff. A central leadership team will also manage a public registry and develop remote trial options for veterans who cannot easily travel to a facility.
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House
- Introduced in House
The provisions, in plain language.
Directs the VA to establish a precision oncology program for prostate cancer within 180 days of enactment, making eligible veterans with prostate or non-prostate genitourinary cancers to receive specialized medical services.
Requires designated VA Centers of Excellence to provide advanced prostate cancer services—including genetic sequencing, clinical trials, biopsy capabilities, and travel assistance—and staff each center with a dedicated team of oncologists, radiologists, urologists, pathologists, and researchers.
Designates 28 specific VA medical centers across the country as initial Centers of Excellence, requiring at least 21 active facilities at all times and ensuring at least one center exists in each regional VA healthcare network.
Establishes a Program Leadership team at the Seattle VA Medical Center to manage clinical trials, host a public prostate cancer registry, and develop a standardized genetic sequencing platform.
Requires the VA, beginning in 2030, to review the performance of each Center of Excellence once every five years and permits the VA to terminate the designation of underperforming centers.
Directs the VA to submit an implementation plan within 60 days of enactment and annual progress reports to Congress detailing funding, veteran enrollment, and patients' five-year survival rates.
Authorizes $15.5 million for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029 to fund the precision oncology program.
Prohibits the VA from reducing funding or removing staff, programs, or functions related to prostate cancer at designated Centers of Excellence below their January 2023 levels until January 1, 2030.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Veterans with prostate or non-prostate genitourinary cancersVeterans diagnosed with prostate or non-prostate genitourinary cancers gain eligibility to enroll in a new precision oncology program that provides specialized medical services, genetic sequencing, clinical trials, and travel support (Sec. 2(a)(7330E)(b)-(c)).
Who it burdens
- Department of Veterans AffairsThe Department of Veterans Affairs must establish the precision oncology program, staff at least 21 Centers of Excellence with specific medical specialists, conduct regular performance reviews, and submit progress reports to Congress. It is also prohibited from cutting prostate cancer funding or staff below January 2023 levels until 2030 (Sec. 2(a)-(d), Sec. 3).
Who backs it
- Federal taxpayersFederal taxpayers fund the precision oncology program through authorized appropriations of $15.5 million for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2029 (Sec. 2(a)(7330E)(i)).