Casten Amendment to Expand Pilot Mental Health Access Included in NDAA
Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a bipartisan amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act offered by Rep. Sean Casten to require the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services to examine barriers to access for military pilots and air traffic controllers mental health care.
“When military and civilian aviators make the required report that they have sought mental health care, they are often faced with delays, confusion, and overbroad regulation in the process of returning to work,” said Rep. Casten. “My bipartisan amendment helps destigmatize mental health care for pilots and air traffic controllers and ensures those who seek it face no more consequence, nor any less scientifically robust bases for being re-cleared for duty than those who need physical care.”
Watch Rep. Casten’s full remarks during floor debate by clicking here.
Text of Rep. Casten’s amendment can be found here.
Last month, after Rep. Casten led the call to revise aviator mental health guidelines in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, the House passed legislation, later signed into law by President Biden, to implement the FAA Mental Health & Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee’s recommendations to improve mental health access for pilots and air traffic controllers.
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