Casten, Stauber Introduce Bipartisan Bills to Improve Access to Health Care for Aviators
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) introduced two bipartisan bills to improve access to health care for pilots and air traffic controllers.
“Pilots and air traffic controllers should not be unfairly penalized for seeking health care by a system that perpetuates a culture of silence,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I’m proud to introduce these bipartisan bills to help bolster the availability of mental health care for aviators, require the FAA to eliminate significant barriers to care, and ensure everyone is given full information about what medications they may take. These commonsense changes will enable pilots and air traffic controllers to access help, should they need it.”
“Our aviators help our friends and families conduct business, visit loved ones, and explore the world, and they do so with safety as their top priority,” said Rep. Stauber. “Mental health care is an important part of the safety mission, and we must not create barriers that deter aviators from seeking treatment. I am proud to introduce these two bills with Congressman Casten to ensure our aviators get the care they need while keeping our skies safe.”
The first bill, the Mental Health in Aviation Act, is co-sponsored by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) and Representative Tracey Mann (R-KS-01). The legislation would eliminate barriers to mental health care for aviators and require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee within two years.
“At such a trying time for U.S. aviation, we must support the mental health of the dedicated aviation workforce who, every day, help ensure the traveling public reach their destination safely,” Ranking Member Larsen said. “That’s why I’m so proud to support the Mental Health in Aviation Act, legislation from Representatives Casten, Stauber and Mann to modernize the FAA’s mental health policies and remove barriers in access to critical care.”
“Our nation’s pilots, air traffic controllers, and flight crews carry an overwhelming weight of responsibility in upholding the Gold Standard of American aviation while simultaneously keeping passengers safe,” said Rep. Mann, a co-sponsor of the Mental Health in Aviation Act. “As these talented professionals work tirelessly to maintain American aviation as the standard for the world, it’s important that they have access to resources and information to help care for their mental health and manage stressors appropriately. When the country is already facing an imminent pilot shortage, this legislation encourages more individuals to pursue careers in aviation by providing them with the tools they need to be successful.”
The second bill, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act, would require the FAA to publish and regularly update a list of approved medications for aviators.
For a list of quotes from organizations who support the Reps. Casten and Stauber’s legislation, please click here.
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Mental Health in Aviation Act
Currently, pilots and air traffic controllers who seek mental health care are unfairly penalized by a system that perpetuates a culture of silence. While aviation professionals are mandated to report if they seek mental health care, once they take that step, they are faced with delays, confusion, and overbroad regulation in the process of returning to work. This often means that relatively minor mental health concerns result in long wait times and derailed careers for safe and well-trained pilots and air traffic controllers, which exacerbate the culture of silence that is rooted in fear for their livelihoods.
In December 2023, the FAA recognized the need to reform its current policies and established the ARC to identify barriers to mental health care for aviators and present recommendations to the FAA to address these challenges.
To address these barriers, the ARC coalesced around a list of 24 recommendations to eliminate some of the main barriers to care. The Mental Health in Aviation Act requires the FAA to take the following steps:
Regulations for Individuals Carrying Out Aviation Activities
- In consultation with stakeholders, implement the recommendations of the ARC within two years
- Report to Congress on its plans to implement recommendations to improve pilot mental health care from the National Transportation Safety Board, and a description of relevant clinical studies, manuals, and other protocols.
Annual Review of Mental Health Special Issuance Process
- Annually review and update process related to mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers to: reclassify and approve the use of additional medications, improve mental health knowledge and training to Aviation Medical Examiners, as appropriate defer additional authority to Aviation Medical Examiners, and improve the special issuance process; and report to congress.
Authorization of Appropriation for Additional Medical Examiners
- Authorizes $13.74 M for each of the next three years to recruit, and train additional Aviation Medical Examiners and fund and expand capacity in the Flight Surgeon’s Office.
Public Information Campaign
- Authorizes $1.5M for each of the next three years to destigmatize mental health care among aviators, and make pilots and air traffic controllers aware of available services to help.
- Report to Congress.
Text of the Mental Health in Aviation Act can be found here.
The legislation is endorsed by the Pilot Mental Health Campaign, Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, National Flight Training Alliance, the National Business Aviation Association, and NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP).
Aviation Medication Transparency Act
Currently, the FAA provides Aviation Medical Examiners with specific guidance on medications that are safe for aviators and those that necessitate grounding for various periods. However, this crucial information is not made accessible to pilots, non-aeromedical physicians, or air traffic Controllers.
As a result, an aviator may unknowingly take prescription medications that could potentially jeopardize their career. If both the aviator and their physician had access to information regarding permissible medications, they could opt for similar medications that would not pose such risks. To make sure pilots and air traffic controllers have full information, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act requires the publication of a list of approved medications. Further, this bill requires that the FAA:
- Publish and maintain this list of medications that are safe for pilots and air traffic controllers to take while working within one year of enactment.
- Maintain this list in consultation with various stakeholders
- Ensure that this list is comprehensive and drafted in a user-friendly and accessible manner.
- Indicate what, if any, period of time aviators must have limited duties while taking this medication
- Indicate a list of medications that the FAA has designated as “Do Not Issue”
- Include any other clarifications it deems necessary
- Update this list annually
- Include a mechanism for doctors to seek information from the FAA should they have any questions
Text of the Aviation Medication Transparency Act can be found here.
The legislation is endorsed by the Pilot Mental Health Campaign, Airlines for America, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the National Business Aviation Association, and the National Flight Training Alliance.
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