Fitzpatrick’s bipartisan bill authorizes specific cancer study of Vietnam War veterans

A bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and several of his New York congressional colleagues aims to allow American military veterans to claim a service-connected disability under their Veterans Affairs benefits for bile duct cancer.

The Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act, H.R. 6637, would direct the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to study and report on the prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma in veterans of the Vietnam War era, among other purposes, according to the congressional record summary.

Cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, is an uncommon form of cancer that mostly occurs in people older than age 50, according to the Mayo Clinic, which says “cholangiocarcinoma is a type of tumor that is very difficult to treat.”

“It is imperative that our nation’s veterans receive access to the highest quality medical testing and treatment options,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said in a July 30 joint statement released with the four cosponsors of H.R. 6637: U.S. Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Pete King (R-NY), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and Kathleen Rice (D-NY).

The bill, said Rep. Fitzpatrick, would establish a link between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “to ensure care and coverage for American patriots exposed to the liver fluke parasite.”

Such liver parasites, according to the Mayo Clinic, increase a person’s risk of developing bile duct cancer. “In areas of Southeast Asia, cholangiocarcinoma is associated with liver fluke infection, which can occur from eating raw or undercooked fish,” the clinic notes.

“With an alarming number of Vietnam veterans carrying liver flukes, this legislation fulfills our nation’s obligation to provide our servicemen and women the health benefits and peace of mind which they are owed,” the congressman said.

H.R. 6637 would require the VA and CDC to conduct a study to determine the prevalence of liver flukes among the nation’s veteran population and the link between a veteran’s service record and affliction, according to the lawmakers’ statement.

“I am deeply concerned about the liver fluke parasite that has infected so many of our nation’s veterans, especially our brave service members who were deployed to Southeastern and Eastern Asia,” Rep. Zeldin said, adding that preliminary reports indicate these veterans are carrying the dormant liver parasites.

“Our nation’s veterans have earned nothing less than the highest quality care, and it is our responsibility as a nation to develop a plan, secure funding to test all veterans whose service exposed them to liver fluke, and if necessary, provide appropriate care, and do so as soon as possible,” said Rep. Zeldin, who sponsored H.R. 6637.

Rep. King said the risk to veterans of contracting bile duct cancer “is simply too important and the number of incidents warrant immediate attention.”

In fact, Rep. Rice pointed out that almost one in four Vietnam War combat veterans who participated in a study at the Northport VA tested positive for exposure to the liver fluke parasite.

“We cannot ignore these results,” Rep. Rice said, adding that the study authorized under H.R. 6637 would “ensure that we develop an appropriate screening and treatment plan for all at-risk veterans.”

“This study is long overdue,” added Rep. Suozzi. “Potential exposure to liver fluke is causing anxiety among our veterans that is unnecessarily compounded by unknowns. A study is a step towards finding firm answers to alleviate that anxiety.”

H.R. 6637 has been referred to the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee for consideration.