Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act
Bill: H.R.1273 | Sponsor: Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. (R-NY)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct an epidemiological study and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in veterans who served in the Vietnam theater of operations during the Vietnam era. The study shall identify the rate of incidence of cholangiocarcinoma in such veterans and in U.S. residents.
The bill also requires the VA to track and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma using the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry.

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.

    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.
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