This bill directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to run a comprehensive, long-term study of the physiological and psychological effects of military aviation on people who served as aviators. The study must look at links between flight hours and G-force exposure and brain injuries or cognitive problems; long-term mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD compared to other service members; the relationship between aviation stress and suicide risk; the prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions (for example, CTE, ALS, and Parkinson's) among current and former aviators; how helmet design, oxygen systems, flight suit pressurization, and other cockpit factors affect brain health; current screening and diagnostic practices; and recommendations to improve monitoring, prevention, and treatment. The Department of Veterans Affairs must consult the Department of Defense, military Surgeons General, the Defense Health Agency, and relevant research institutions. The VA must also create a centralized, anonymized Military Aviator Neurohealth Registry that tracks flight exposure data, health outcomes over time, and supports longitudinal follow-up. The bill requires an interim report to Congress within one year and a final report within three years.
No publicly available information on costs or funding. The bill text does not specify funding amounts or the sources of funding for the study or the registry.
No publicly available information on formal statements of support or argument text. The bill was introduced by Representatives Jennifer Kiggans, Maggie Goodlander, Don Bacon, Seth Moulton, Jill Tokuda, Eugene Vindman, Abraham Hamadeh, Cory Mills, Morgan Luttrell, August Pfluger, Eric Sorensen, Nick LaLota, and Jimmy Patronis.
No publicly available information on formal opposition or objections in the bill text or provided metadata.