While the exact cause of ALS is unknown, risk factors include: aging, a family history of disease, and even serving your country in uniform. For unknown reasons, military veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease as the general public.

A lot of research is still needed to find a cure for ALS, which is why last year’s reductions in federal funding for researching the disease were so concerning.

Recently, H.R. 6001, the Veterans with ALS Reporting Act, was introduced to make studying the disease a funding priority again. The bill directs the VA, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct studies and prioritize research into the prevalence of ALS among veterans. The department would be required to develop a plan to reduce the incidence of ALS among those who have served or are currently serving. The bill would also make it easier for veterans with the disease to access clinical trials.

The Veterans with ALS Reporting Act puts focus back where it belongs, on improving the lives of veterans with ALS and on the research necessary to come up with a cure. 

PVA Position:

Congress must pass H.R. 6001. Without research, there will not be a cure for ALS. While medically noted, it remains unclear why veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS. ALS needs to be carefully studied so that veterans and their counterparts in the civilian population can be protected from its cause.