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Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 11, 2009
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, except that a state shall not impose new or additional requirements on a pilot; and (2) the obligation of providers of helicopter medical services to comply with a state's health planning, patient safety, and medical service requirements.
Authorizes states to regulate the following aspects of helicopter medical services to the extent that state regulations are harmonized with relevant federal operating requirements: (1) the designation of destinations for emergency patient transport; (2) the specification of service requirements with respect to geographic areas within a state or during specified hours and days; (3) the coordination of flight requests for emergency helicopter medical services; and (4) compliance with accreditation requirements.
Authorizes states to regulate the following aspects of helicopter medical services to the extent that state regulations are consistent with relevant federal operating requirements: (1) the necessary medical equipment 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 and ground medical personnel; and (3) specified communication capabilities between helicopter personnel and emergency medical services and public safety personnel and between the flight crew and helicopter medical personnel.
People & committees
Rep. Altmire, Jason [D-PA-4] · D–PA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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