Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 586) 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. 586
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 include--
(1) an identification of 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), an identification of 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) Reports to Congress.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than one year after the completion of the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing--
(A) the results of the study under subsection (a); and
(B) recommendations for administrative or legislative actions required to address issues identified in the study under subsection (a).
(2) Follow-up reports.--The Secretary shall periodically submit to the Congress a follow-up reports, as determined by the Secretary, to provide updates to the information included in the initial report under paragraph (1) and information collected pursuant to subsection (c).
(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 in follow-up reports submitted under subsection (b)(2).
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``Vietnam era'' has the meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
(2) The term ``covered veterans of the Vietnam era'' means veterans who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era. SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF CERTAIN LIMITATION OF PENSION PAYMENTS.
Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``November 30, 2031'' and inserting ``December 31, 2031''.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. 586, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 586, as amended, offered by Representative LaLota from New York, my friend and fellow veteran.
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 Vietnam veterans suffered greatly in service to their country. Thousands of Vietnam veterans still live with invisible and visible wounds of war today.
My own uncle is one of them. He served in Vietnam and, like so many others, suffered debilitating injuries from his service. Sadly, many never received the treatment or recognition they deserved when they came home.
Today, we are still learning about the full extent of the health risks these veterans faced, some of which weren't understood at the time.
One risk may have come from something as simple and routine as eating local food during their deployment. Certain uncooked fish consumed in Southeast Asia are known to carry a parasite called a liver fluke. The parasite can cause infection and long-term scarring that may lead to bile duct cancer. This is a rare but serious illness here in the U.S. and one more commonly found in the region where our veterans served.
This bill would require VA to study whether bile duct cancer is linked to service in Vietnam and whether this rare condition should be considered service-connected.
One of VA's most important missions is to care for the injuries veterans sustain while they serve this country. This study would help uphold that sacred obligation.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my fellow veteran, Mr. LaLota, for his leadership on this bill on behalf of our veterans. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 586, as amended.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source