Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act
Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct an epidemiological study on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) among veterans who served in the Vietnam theater during the Vietnam era. The study would use existing cancer registry data (the VA Central Cancer Registry and the National Program of Cancer Registries) and would compare incidence in covered Vietnam-era veterans to that in the general U.S. population, including demographic breakdowns. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the CDC, would deliver an initial report to Congress within a year after the study’s completion, including findings and recommended actions, followed by ongoing follow-up reports. The bill also directs continued tracking of cholangiocarcinoma among covered Vietnam-era veterans. In addition, the act amends pension-related law to extend a specific limitation date for pension payments from November 30, 2031 to December 31, 2031.
Key Points
- 1The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must, within 120 days of enactment, start an epidemiological study on cholangiocarcinoma prevalence among covered Vietnam-era veterans, using data from the VA Central Cancer Registry and the National Program of Cancer Registries, and compare it to the U.S. population. The study will identify incidence rates and demographic patterns (age, gender, race, ethnicity, geography) for both groups.
- 2The Secretary, in consultation with the CDC, will produce an initial Congress-facing report within one year after the study’s completion, detailing results and recommending administrative or legislative actions to address issues found.
- 3The Secretary must periodically submit follow-up reports to Congress to update the study findings and include information gathered after the initial report, as determined by the Secretary.
- 4The Secretary shall continue tracking the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma in covered Vietnam-era veterans via the VA Central Cancer Registry and provide this information in follow-up congressional reports.
- 5The bill defines “Vietnam era” and “covered veterans of the Vietnam era” and uses those definitions to identify the population for the study; it also extends the scope of the “Extension of Certain Limitation of Pension Payments” by adjusting a specific date.