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AI Summary This summary was generated by AI from the bill text. AI can get information wrong.
This bill would require the Department of Defense to add certain medical tests to the regular health checks given to military members, starting in 2026. The idea is to make these checkups more complete by including tests that can help spot heart problems, blood issues, and other health concerns earlier. Each year, service members would receive a sports physical, an electrocardiogram, and blood work that includes common lab tests. If needed, the blood work could also include extra tests for thyroid function and heart-related issues. The bill also keeps in place any other health tests already required by law and gives the Secretary of Defense the power to add more tests if they are considered appropriate.
- Beginning in 2026, the Pentagon would have to include these tests in periodic health assessments for members of the Armed Forces.
- The required yearly tests would include a sports physical, an electrocardiogram, and blood work with a comprehensive metabolic panel and complete blood count.
- If needed, the blood work could also include a thyroid stimulating hormone test and a brain natriuretic peptide test.
- The bill also says any other health tests required by law must still be done, and the Secretary of Defense may add more tests as appropriate.
Official Summaries
Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2025
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to ensure that periodic health assessments of members of the Armed Forces include specified elements. DOD must ensure that annual assessments include a sports physical, an electrocardiogram, and specified blood work. Other periodic assessments must include certain testing related to burn pit exposure, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure, and other tests or evaluations determined to be appropriate by DOD.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1014 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1014
To amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Defense to include certain tests as part of the periodic health
assessments provided to members of the Armed Forces.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 5, 2025
Mr. Luttrell introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of
Defense to include certain tests as part of the periodic health
assessments provided to members of the Armed Forces.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESSMENTS.
Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after section 1074o the following new section (and conforming the table
of sections accordingly):
``Sec. 1074p. Periodic health assessments
``Beginning in 2026, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that
periodic health assessments provided to a member of the armed forces
include the following:
``(1) On an annual basis--
``(A) a sports physical;
``(B) an electrocardiogram; and
``(C) blood work that includes--
``(i) a comprehensive metabolic panel and
complete blood count; and
``(ii) if necessary--
``(I) a thyroid stimulating hormone
test; and
``(II) a brain natriuretic peptide
test.
``(2) Any test or evaluation required by law with respect
to such member, including an evaluation required by section 704
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
(Public Law 116-92; 10 U.S.C. 1074f note) and a test required
by section 707 of such Act (10 U.S.C. 1074 note).
``(3) Any other test or evaluation determined appropriate
by the Secretary.''.
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