Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act

Summary

Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act - Authorizes states to regulate helicopter medical services with respect to: (1) the medical qualifications and training of helicopter medical personnel; and (2) the obligation of providers of helicopter medical services to comply with a state's health planning, patient safety, and medical service requirements. Prohibits states from imposing requirements on pilots. Authorizes states to regulate the following aspects of helicopter medical services to the extent such regulations are harmonized with applicable federal operating requirements: (1) establishment of criteria for determination of the appropriate medical institution to receive a transported patient; (2) specification of service requirements with respect to geographic areas within a state or during specified hours and days; (3) coordination of flight requests for emergency helicopter medical services; (4) compliance with medical services accreditation requirements, except where they infringe upon relevant federal operating requirements; and (5) provision of emergency helicopter medical services to all persons where needed. Authorizes a state to regulate certain aspects of helicopter medical services to the extent that such regulations are consistent with, and do not infringe upon, applicable federal operating requirements. Specifies among the aspects of helicopter medical services which states may regulate: (1) the necessary medical equipment and supplies to be carried on board or affixed to the helicopter; (2) the physical attributes of the helicopter necessary for the provision of quality medical care and for the protection of helicopter, ground medical, and emergency response personnel; and (3) specified communication capabilities among helicopter medical personnel and emergency medical services and public safety personnel, and between the flight crew and helicopter medical personnel. Requires a provider of helicopter medical services that is licensed in more than one state where state helicopter medical services regulations are inconsistent to comply with the most stringent regulation. Requires a state, if necessary, to establish regulations or negotiate mutual aid agreements with adjacent states, or providers of helicopter medical services in such states, to ensure access to such services across state borders.

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Timeline

1. 22 April 2009

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 22 April 2009

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 22 April 2009 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 22 April 2009

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 22 April 2009

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 22 April 2009

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO] · D · Sponsor
• Rep. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME-2] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC] · R · Cosponsor
• Maria Cantwell · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Hagan, Kay R. [D-NC] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] · D · Cosponsor
• · sscm00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act