S.201 - ACES Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The ACES Act (S.201) directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to collaborate with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on cancer prevalence and mortality among active duty aircrew in the Armed Forces. The study aims to identify exposures associated with military occupations and determine the prevalence of specific cancers within this population. A report detailing the study's findings will be submitted to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs.
Expected Effects
This bill, if enacted, will lead to a comprehensive study on cancer rates among military aircrew. The study's findings could inform future policies and healthcare practices for veterans. It may also lead to increased awareness and potential preventative measures regarding occupational hazards within the military.
Potential Benefits
- Provides data to better understand health risks faced by military aircrew.
- Informs policy decisions related to veterans' healthcare.
- Potentially leads to improved preventative measures and treatment strategies for cancer.
- Increases awareness of occupational hazards in military aviation.
- Supports evidence-based decision-making within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The study requires allocation of resources, potentially diverting funds from other veteran programs.
- The study's findings may not be conclusive or may take a significant amount of time to produce.
- There is a risk that the study could identify previously unknown health risks, causing concern among veterans.
- The study's scope is limited to aircrew, potentially overlooking other military personnel with similar exposures.
- The study does not guarantee immediate improvements in healthcare access or outcomes for veterans.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's provision for Congress to provide for the common defense and general welfare (Preamble). Specifically, it supports the health and well-being of veterans who have served in the Armed Forces. Congress has the power to raise and support armies (Article I, Section 8), which implicitly includes caring for those who have served.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).