The ACES Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to study cancer rates and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and specific cancers. A report of the findings will be submitted to Congress.
Mark Kelly
Senator
AZ
The ACES Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to collaborate with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on cancer rates and mortality among veterans who served as active duty aircrew, identifying potential links between military exposures and specific cancers. The study will utilize data from multiple government sources to determine cancer rates and mortality among aircrew members. A report of the findings will be submitted to the Secretary and the Veterans Affairs Committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
ACES Act Orders In-Depth Study of Cancer Rates Among Air Force Veterans: Focus on Active-Duty Aircrew
The ACES Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to team up with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to take a hard look at cancer rates and deaths among veterans who served as active-duty aircrew. This isn't just a broad overview – it's a focused effort to pinpoint the risks these specific veterans faced and how it might connect to their service.
Digging into the Data
This bill is all about getting to the bottom of a serious issue: the potential link between military aircrew service and cancer. The National Academies will be tasked with identifying exposures specific to these roles – things like chemicals, radiation, or other agents encountered during service (SEC. 2). Think of a pilot constantly exposed to jet fuel, or a navigator working with radar equipment for years. The study will examine how these exposures might correlate with higher rates of cancer, both overall and for specific types like brain, lung, and prostate cancer, among others. The study will use the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense and the National Center for Health Statistics data to determine the rate of and mortality from cancers among aircrew members.
Real-World Focus: Connecting the Dots
This study is crucial because it could directly impact how the VA handles healthcare for these veterans. If strong links are found between specific exposures and cancer types, it could lead to changes in how the VA assesses and treats these conditions. For example, if a certain type of fuel is linked to a higher risk of kidney cancer, that could influence screenings and treatment protocols for veterans who worked with that fuel. The bill defines "covered individual" as someone who served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps as a fixed-wing aircraft aircrew member, such as a pilot, navigator, or other regular crew member.
What's Next?
The National Academies will compile their findings into a report for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Affairs Committees in both the House and Senate (SEC. 2). This means the results will be directly in the hands of lawmakers, providing a scientific basis for potential policy changes or new support programs for affected veterans and their families. While the study itself is a big step, the real test will be how this information is used to improve the lives of those who served.