Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) has introduced a bipartisan bill with Representative Chris Pappas (D-NH), improving the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to diagnose service-related respiratory conditions in veterans.
What the Bill Does
Specifically, Rep. Ciscomani's Advanced Imaging for Respiratory Care, Assessment, and Research Excellence (AIR CARE) for Veterans Act tackles a specific issue affecting the VA's diagnoses of lung problems, stemming from the use of the standard whole lung assessment, which can often fail to detect subtle signs of such problems in early stages or in specific regions.
Additionally, lung biopsies are painful and invasive, and with many veterans becoming affected by toxic burn pits from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, the need for advanced methods is more urgent than ever.
As a result, the AIR CARE for Veterans Act advocates for the adoption, access, and increased use of high-quality imaging software to diagnose respiratory issues in veterans more quickly and accurately.
What Lawmakers are Saying
"Our nation's heroes deserve access to quality healthcare, including the most up-to-date technology to best diagnose service-related conditions. That's what the AIR CARE for Vets Act is all about," said Rep. Ciscomani in a press release. "Under this bill, veterans suffering from respiratory conditions and lung cancer would receive better quality care at the VA through the use of imaging software equipped to properly evaluate their symptoms."
The Arizona congressman emphasized, "Better imaging software means an improved rate of diagnosis, which would save lives by catching issues like lung cancer sooner. The men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country deserve to know they are receiving the highest level of care possible at all stages, starting with quality evaluation of their symptoms."
Rep. Pappas, the bill's cosponsor, further commented, "We owe everything to our veterans, and they deserve access to top-of-the-line health care both during and following their service."
"Our legislation would establish a pilot program for VA to utilize innovative 4-D lung scanning technology, which improves identification of respiratory disorders and lung disease in veterans. For thousands of veterans living in New Hampshire, exposure to burn pits has significantly increased their chances of developing lung disease and this pilot program will improve the resources and care available to them now and in the years to come," Rep. Pappas concluded.
