# Summary of H.R. 8553, POPCaP Authorization Act of 2026
This bill directs the Veterans Affairs Department to establish a precision oncology program focused on prostate cancer treatment for veterans. The program will designate at least 21 VA medical centers as Centers of Excellence across the country, with at least one in each regional VA network, to provide advanced genetic testing, clinical trials, and specialized cancer care. Each center must employ multiple cancer specialists including medical oncologists, urologists, radiation oncologists, and research staff, and will participate in coordinated research efforts overseen by a central leadership team based at Seattle VA Medical Center. The bill immediately designates 32 specific VA hospitals as initial Centers of Excellence and authorizes $15.5 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 to operate the program. The VA must establish the program within 180 days and submit annual reports to Congress documenting program participation, research outcomes, and survival rate comparisons between veterans enrolled in the program and other patient populations.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.