Panetta, Pfluger Seek to Lower Military Aviation Cancer Rates
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Aviator Cancers Examination Study (ACES) Act. If passed, this bill would direct the Secretary of the VA to study cancer incidences and mortality rates among aviators and aircrew who served in the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
This legislation is critical as it would improve our understanding of the link between military service and cancer risks among Veteran aviators. By better understanding the correlation between aviator service and cancer, we can better assist our military and provide more adequate care for our veterans.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), both veterans and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, championed the Senate version of the bill last session and will do so again this Congress.
“We have a responsibility to fully understand the health risks facing our aviators in defense of our nation,” said Congressman Panetta. “I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to ensure that we uncover the full scope of service-linked cancer diagnoses among our airmen and women as we continue our work to improve care for our servicemembers and veterans. This study is essential to equipping our military and veteran health care providers with the critical knowledge they need to deliver the top-tier care our aviators and aircrew so rightly deserve for their service to our nation.”
“As a former fighter pilot, I know first-hand the risks that airmen and women take every day when they step into the cockpit. After putting their lives on the line in the line of duty for their country, airmen and women deserve assurances that their health will be properly taken care of,” said Congressman Pfluger. “The bipartisan ACES Act will ensure that the VA takes necessary steps to completely understand any links between aviation and cancer incidences to properly care for and treat our service members.”
“We owe it to past, present, and future aviators in the armed forces to study the prevalence of cancer among this group of veterans. Our legislation will make the necessary commitments to protect our men and women in uniform long after their service has ended,” said Senator Cotton.
As a former Navy pilot, I understand the sacrifices aviators make every day, but the fact is we need to improve our understanding on some of the unseen risks facing aircrews,” said Senator Kelly. “This bipartisan legislation will boost our knowledge to better address this terrible disease among veterans and recognize what needs to be corrected to help mitigate the threat among current service members.”
The bill is co-sponsored in the House by Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-7), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Seth Moulton (MA-6), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Don Davis (NC-01), David Valadao (CA-22), Marianette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Susie Lee (NV-03), Mike Simpson (ID-02), and Scott Franklin (FL-18).
Read the full text of the legislation here.
The legislation is supported by Red River Valley Association (RRVA), With Honor Action, HunterSeven Foundation, the MACH Coalition, Fleet Reserve Association, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Veteran Prostate Cancer Awareness Inc.
Rye Barcott, Co-Founder & CEO of With Honor Action said, “It’s alarming that airmen and airwomen may face higher cancer and mortality rates in connection to their service. We commend the bipartisan work of Rep. Pfluger and Rep. Panetta, both members of the For Country Caucus, and urge Congress to pass this bill to help us better understand the risks our airmen and airwomen face while on duty.”
Background
Pilots and aircrew have been found to have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and melanoma, with possible links to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and testicular cancer.
The ACES Act will help advance research on any correlation between aviator service and cancer rates to better assist veterans and active service members. The ACES Act passed the House of Representatives in the 117th and 118th Congress.
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