Sponsors (36)
The bill prioritizes better, more transparent study of cancer risks for fixed‑wing aircrew and short-term pension continuity for veterans, trading off possible delays in immediate benefits, limited coverage by population definition, and modest administrative and taxpayer costs.
Veterans who served as fixed‑wing aircrew will get more reliable, comprehensive evidence about cancer risks and mortality tied to their service, improving clinicians' understanding and supporting veterans' care and claims decisions.
Veterans (fixed‑wing aircrew) could see faster or expanded disability benefits or presumptions if the study's findings prompt VA policy changes, potentially improving income and healthcare support for affected veterans.
Mandated timelines and regular briefings increase transparency and accountability around the VA's progress on the study agreement, helping veterans and oversight bodies track implementation.
Veterans may face delays in concrete policy or benefit changes while VA awaits the study report, leaving affected veterans without immediate relief despite the promise of better evidence.
Narrowly defining 'covered individuals' as fixed‑wing aircrew risks excluding other service members who had similar exposures, leaving many potentially harmed veterans without the benefits or presumptions the study could enable.
The study and recurring reporting/briefing requirements impose additional administrative costs on VA, DoD, and the National Academies that are paid by taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires VA to contract the National Academies to study cancer prevalence and mortality in fixed‑wing aircrew veterans and extends a pension date by one month.
Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study cancer prevalence and mortality among veterans who served as fixed‑wing aircrew, including identifying likely occupational exposures and reviewing links to specific cancer types; the Academies must deliver a final report to VA and congressional veterans’ committees. Also makes a minor change to extend a statutory pension payment cutoff date by one month (from November 30 to December 31, 2031).
Introduced January 16, 2025 by August Pfluger · Last progress May 6, 2025