WASHINGTON, D.C. (Tribune News Service) — Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) 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, a news release said.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), 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.

“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 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.”

“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 Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), Don Davis (D-N.C.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), and Scott Franklin (R-Fla.).

Read the full text of the legislation here.

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