ACES Act

The ACES Act (S 4111) directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to contract the National Academies to study cancer rates among military aircrew members who served on active duty in fixed-wing aircraft (e.g., pilots, navigators). The study will identify potential exposure risks (like chemicals) and examine links to specific cancers - including brain, lung, prostate, and melanoma skin cancers - using VA, Defense, and national health data. It requires the National Academies to report findings to Congress, focusing on prevalence and mortality patterns among covered veterans. This bill creates a data-gathering process but does not alter benefits or create new obligations.