S.Amdt. 2523

SA 2523. Mr. KELLY (for himself and Mr. Cotton) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4638, to
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2025 for military activities
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end of subtitle E of title VII, add the following:

SEC. 750. MODIFICATION OF STUDY ON THE INCIDENCE OF CANCER
DIAGNOSIS AND MORTALITY AMONG MILITARY AVIATORS
AND AVIATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL.

Section 750 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021(Public Law
116-283; 134 Stat. 3717) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Phase 3.--
``(A) In general.--Immediately following completion of the
studies under paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary of
Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly
seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies
of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this section
referred to as the `National Academies'), under which the
National Academies shall--
``(i) conduct a study to identify exposures associated with
military occupations of covered individuals, including
relating to chemicals, compounds, agents, and other
phenomena; and
``(ii) conduct a review of the studies under paragraphs (2)
and (3).
``(B) Elements.--The study and review conducted pursuant to
the agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) shall
address the following:
``(i) The associations between exposures referred to in
subparagraph (A)(i) and the incidence or prevalence of
overall cancer morbidity, overall cancer mortality, and
increased incidence or prevalence of the following:

``(I) Brain cancer.
``(II) Colon and rectal cancers.
``(III) Kidney cancer.
``(IV) Lung cancer.
``(V) Melanoma skin cancer.
``(VI) Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
``(VII) Pancreatic cancer.
``(VIII) Prostate cancer.
``(IX) Testicular cancer.
``(X) Thyroid cancer.
``(XI) Urinary bladder cancer.
``(XII) Other cancers as determined appropriate by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the
National Academies.

``(ii) To the extent possible, the prevalence of and
mortality from the cancers specified in clause (i) among
Veteran Aviators.
``(iii) The unique needs and challenges faced by Veteran
Aviators in relation to cancer.
``(iv) The current services the Department of Veterans
Affairs provides for Veteran Aviators affected by cancer,
including the following:

``(I) Disability compensation.
``(II) Availability and quality of cancer treatment
facilities and specialists.
``(III) Outreach and education efforts to inform veterans
about available services.
``(IV) Coordination of care between Department and non-
Department health care providers.

``(v) Existing policies and protocols regarding cancer
prevention, early detection, and treatment within the
military and veteran communities.
``(vi) Gaps in current research on military-related cancer
risks and proposals for future research directions to address
those gaps.
``(vii) Recommendations as follows:

``(I) On ways the Department of Defense and the Department
of Veterans Affairs can improve targeted interventions,
screening protocols, and preventive measures to reduce cancer
incidence and mortality among covered individuals, Veteran
Aviators, and members of the Armed Forces on active duty,
including the following:

``(aa) Implementing advanced screening technologies and
protocols specific to high-risk groups.
``(bb) Enhancing training programs for medical personnel on
recognizing and managing military-related cancer risks.
``(cc) Increasing funding for research on cancer prevention
and treatment relevant to exposures while serving in the
Armed Forces.
``(dd) Developing comprehensive wellness programs aimed at
reducing cancer risk factors among covered individuals.

``(II) On ways for the Department of Veterans Affairs to
improve care for Veteran Aviators affected by cancer,
including the following:

``(aa) Strengthening support systems for veterans and their
families, including counseling and financial assistance.
``(bb) Enhancing data collection and analysis to better
track cancer outcomes and improve service delivery.
``(cc) Implementing patient-centered care models to address
the unique needs of veteran cancer patients.

``(III) On legislative or regulatory changes needed to
support the implementation of the recommendations specified
under subclauses (I) and (II), including potential changes to
existing laws and policies to facilitate improved care and
research initiatives.

``(C) Report.--At the conclusion of the study and review
required under subparagraph (A), the National Academies shall
submit to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, and the appropriate committees of Congress a report
containing the results of the study and review.''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(4) The term `Veteran Aviator' means an individual who
served on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine
Corps as an aircrew member of a fixed-wing aircraft,
including as a pilot, navigator, weapons systems operator,
aircraft system operator, or as any other crew member who
regularly flew in a fixed-wing aircraft.''.
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