
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 38USC7319]

 
                      TITLE 38--VETERANS' BENEFITS
 
              PART V--BOARDS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND SERVICES
 
 CHAPTER 73--VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION--ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS
 
           SUBCHAPTER II--GENERAL AUTHORITY AND ADMINISTRATION
 
Sec. 7319. Mammography quality standards

    (a) A mammogram may not be performed at a Department facility unless 
that facility is accredited for that purpose by a private nonprofit 
organization designated by the Secretary. An organization designated by 
the Secretary under this subsection shall meet the standards for 
accrediting bodies established under subsection (e) of section 354 of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 263b).
    (b) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, shall prescribe quality assurance and quality control 
standards relating to the performance and interpretation of mammograms 
and use of mammogram equipment and facilities of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs consistent with the requirements of section 354(f)(1) 
of the Public Health Service Act. Such standards shall be no less 
stringent than the standards prescribed by the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services under section 354(f) of the Public Health Service Act.
    (c)(1) The Secretary, to ensure compliance with the standards 
prescribed under subsection (b), shall provide for an annual inspection 
of the equipment and facilities used by and in Department health care 
facilities for the performance of mammograms. Such inspections shall be 
carried out in a manner consistent with the inspection of certified 
facilities by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 
354(g) of the Public Health Service Act.
    (2) The Secretary may not provide for an inspection under paragraph 
(1) to be performed by a State agency.
    (d) The Secretary shall ensure that mammograms performed for the 
Department under contract with any non-Department facility or provider 
conform to the quality standards prescribed by the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services under section 354 of the Public Health Service Act.
    (e) For the purposes of this section, the term ``mammogram'' has the 
meaning given such term in paragraph (5) of section 354(a) of the Public 
Health Service Act.

(Added Pub. L. 104-262, title III, Sec. 321(a)(1), Oct. 9, 1996, 110 
Stat. 3195.)

                       References in Text

    Section 354 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in text, 
is section 354 of act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, which is classified to 
section 263b of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.


                   Deadline for Prescribing Standards

    Section 321(b) of Pub. L. 104-262 provided that: ``The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs shall prescribe standards under subsection (b) of 
section 7319 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a), not later than the end of the 120-day period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1996].''


                          Implementation Report

    Section 321(c) of Pub. L. 104-262 provided that: ``The Secretary 
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a report on the Secretary's implementation of 
section 7319 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a). The report shall be submitted not later than 120 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 9, 1996].''
