Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4424) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma in veterans who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4424

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act''. SEC. 2. STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA IN VETERANS WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM THEATER OF OPERATIONS DURING THE VIETNAM ERA.

(a) Epidemiological Study.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services, shall commence an epidemiological study on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma in covered veterans of the Vietnam era, using data from the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry and the National Program of Cancer Registries. The study shall--

(1) identify the rate of incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in covered veterans of the Vietnam era and in residents of the United States, from the beginning of the Vietnam era to the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2) for each of the groups specified in paragraph (1), identify the percentage of individuals with cholangiocarcinoma by various demographic characteristics, including by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and the geographic location of the patient at the time of diagnosis.

(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than one year after the completion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing--

(1) the results of the study under subsection (a); and

(2) recommendations for administrative or legislative actions required to address issues identified in the study under subsection (a).

(c) Continued Tracking of Cholangiocarcinoma in Covered Veterans of the Vietnam Era.--The Secretary shall track the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma in covered veterans of the Vietnam era using the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry, and provide such information to Congress as required under subsection (d).

(d) Follow-Up Reports.--The Secretary shall periodically submit to the Congress an updated report under subsection (b), as determined by the Secretary.

(e) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(2) The term ``Vietnam era'' has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

(3) The term ``covered veterans of the Vietnam era'' means veterans who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era. SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES.

The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 15, 2031'' each place it appears and inserting ``November 29, 2031''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4424, as amended, introduced by my friend and fellow veteran, Mr. LaLota from New York. Representative LaLota's bill would require VA to conduct a study and produce a report on the frequency of bile duct cancer for veterans who served in and around the Vietnam war.

Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that many veterans and Vietnam veterans suffered greatly in their service to their country. Thousands of Vietnam veterans still live with the invisible and visible wounds of war today.

Eating uncooked fish while deployed over 60 years ago may have added to that harm. Certain undercooked fish contain a parasite known as a liver fluke, which can cause infection and scarring that could lead to bile duct cancer.

This type of cancer is a rare form of cancer and is in the U.S. but is more common in Southeast Asia. The study in this bill would rightly require VA to determine if the bile duct cancer is a result of the Vietnam-era veterans' deployment in that region.

One of the VA's most important missions is to take care of veterans' service-connected injuries. This study would help uphold that sacred mission. This bill is also an important step in continuing to ensure our Vietnam veterans receive the respect and care they have earned.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. LaLota for his vitally important work on this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4424, as amended.

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Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, once again, I also encourage Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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