Description:
S. 2720 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish programs related to the research, diagnosis, and treatment of all stages of prostate cancer. Those requirements include developing a clinical pathway for treatment, evaluating best practices, and preparing reports. In total, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $3 million over the 2022-2026 period. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriations. In 2021, VA developed a customized clinical pathway for treatment of prostate cancer through the National Oncology Program Office and started implementing the program at the end of that year. The clinical pathway formally standardizes the oncology practice using a multidisciplinary approach and provides decision support to clinical care providers. On the basis of information from VA, CBO estimates that VA has met the requirement for a clinical pathway under current law; thus, implementing that requirement would not affect the federal budget.
