ACES Act Becomes Law: A Milestone for Military Aviators’ Health
In a significant bipartisan achievement, President Donald J. Trump signed the Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act into law on August 14, 2025—an effort aimed at uncovering the real cancer risks faced by military aviators and aircrews.
Commander Carlos Lopez (Ret.), pictured here in 1986, passed away in April 2025 after nearly 22 years fighting stage 4 kidney cancer. Diagnosed at only 44, he faced an enemy he never trained for — terminal cancer.
Sponsored in the House by Representative August Pfluger (R-TX), a U.S. Air Force Reserve colonel, together with Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), a veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve, the ACES Act garnered widespread support across the political aisle. In the Senate, it was championed by Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Tom Cotton (R-AR), both military veterans and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The House passed the legislation by voice vote, following unanimous approval in the Senate.
“A Lifeline for Those Who Flew for Us”
Rep. Pfluger expressed gratitude and resolve:
“I am thrilled that President Trump has signed the ACES Act into law today. This legislation is more than just a bill—it’s a lifeline and a message to every pilot who has put on the uniform to protect our skies that we will fight to protect their health in return.” He emphasized the bill’s personal significance, dedicating it to his close friend, Colonel Andy “Pablo” Shurtleff, who succumbed to cancer—a battle he never intended to fight following his service.
Why It Matters
Studies have indicated that military aviators and aircrews face a 15-24% higher rate of cancer compared to the general U.S. population, including a 75% higher rate of melanoma, 31% higher rate of thyroid cancer, 20% higher rate of prostate cancer, and 11% higher rate of female breast cancer. What’s more, the median age of cancer diagnosis in aircrew is 55 years old—12 years earlier than the median of 67 in the general U.S. population. Aircrew not only face a higher incidence of cancer, but they are also diagnosed significantly earlier in life.
The ACES Act directs the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to collaborate with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on a comprehensive study on prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as active duty aircrew in the armed forces. The study seeks to identify the specific exposures that may contribute to these higher cancer rates and to understand how factors such as chemicals, compounds, agents, and other phenomena might be involved.
Bipartisan Voices United Behind the Cause
Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA):
“Many veterans face serious health risks, including increased rates of cancer potentially linked to aviation service. With the ACES Act now signed into law, we can begin getting our aviators and their families the answers and care they deserve.”
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ):
“Veteran aviators and aircrews deserve answers about the correlation between their job and cancer risks so we can reduce those risks for future pilots.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR):
“The ACES Act is now the law of the land. We owe it to past, present, and future aviators in the armed forces to study the prevalence of cancer among this group of veterans.”
Journey to Law
House Led: H.R. 530, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) on January 16, 2025. The bill passed the House on May 5, 2025, with a vote of 376–5 in overwhelming bipartisan support.
Senate Followed: S. 201, introduced by Sen. Kelly on January 23, 2025, passed with an amendement by unanimous consent on June 3.
Back to House:: After Senate approval, the bill returned to the House for final confirmation and passed again by voice vote.
Final Steps: Presented to the President on August 12 and signed into law on August 14, 2025.
Gratitude for a Historic Effort
The health risks facing military aviators have long been an issue near and dear to VFEA, and the passage of the ACES Act marks a milestone in addressing these concerns. We would like to thank every individual, organization, and lawmaker involved in moving this bill from an idea to a signed law. Your combined efforts have brought hope, recognition, and a path forward for those who have served in the skies.
We extend special recognition to VFEA Board Member and MACH Coalition Founder & Director, Col. Vince Alcazar, USAF (Ret.), whose tireless advocacy and countless hours of work were instrumental in ensuring this legislation became law. His leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering determination kept this issue front and center until the ACES Act was signed—securing a vital step toward answers and care for military aviators and their families.