[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E 1308]]

                  QUALITY MAMMOGRAPHY FOR OUR VETERANS

                                 ______


                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 1995
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to add my name as a cosponsor 
of H.R. 882, which requires the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
consulting with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to put in 
place standards that will ensure quality mammography for our veterans 
who receive their health care in Veterans Department facilities.
  As a principal sponsor of the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 
1992, I have been gratified to observe the impact of this legislation. 
The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Food and Drug 
Administration, moved quickly to establish and put in place a credible 
process for accrediting mammography facilities. As of today, more than 
90 percent of the mammography facilities in the country have been 
certified as meeting the standards of the American College of 
Radiology. With its expert advisory committee, including input from 
mammography facilities themselves, the FDA continues to work toward 
development of additional standards as defined in the statute, which 
will be in place for future inspections and certification of 
facilities.
  Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in 
American women. The potential success of treating this frightening and 
devastating illness is in large measure contingent on accurate early 
diagnosis. Since mammography is a critical and effective method for 
detecting breast cancer early, it is crucial that this service be 
available, safe, and accurate. The Mammography Quality Standards Act is 
intended to achieve this result, and early indications are that it is a 
whopping success.
  The exemption of Veterans Affairs facilities from the requirements of 
the MQSA should not mean that women who seek mammograms in Veterans 
Department facilities must fear receiving lower quality service. H.R. 
882 seeks to ensure that these facilities are in line with those of the 
rest of the country, so that our women veterans can be assured of the 
safest and highest quality mammography.


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