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HR 978 111th Congress House

Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act

Official title: To recognize and clarify the authority of the States to regulate intrastate helicopter medical services pursuant to their authority over public health planning… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To recognize and clarify the authority of the States to regulate intrastate helicopter medical services pursuant to their authority over public health planning and protection, patient safety and protection, emergency medical services, the quality and coordination of medical care, and the practice of medicine within their jurisdictions.

Introduced: February 11, 2009 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Aviation and airportsEmergency communications systemsEmergency medical services and trauma careHealth care quality
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Health personnelHealth technology, devices, suppliesIntergovernmental relationsState and local government operationsTransportation safety and security
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 12, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Feb 12, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Feb 11, 2009
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
Feb 11, 2009
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.
Feb 11, 2009
Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
Feb 11, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 12, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 848 Related bill Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 10
All 10 Democratic 3 Republican 2
D
Doggett, Lloyd
Texas · Sep 10, 2009
McMahon, Michael
· Mar 25, 2009
 R
Simpson, Michael K.
Idaho · Mar 9, 2009
Carney, Christopher
· Mar 4, 2009
 R
Capito, Shelley Moore
West Virginia · Mar 3, 2009
Minnick, Walter
· Mar 3, 2009
 D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · Feb 11, 2009
Massa, Eric
· Feb 11, 2009
 D
Pingree, Chellie
Maine · Feb 11, 2009
Space, Zachary
· Feb 11, 2009
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 978: Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-978/
MLA
"H.R. 978: Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-978/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 978, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-978/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 978: Helicopter Medical Services Patient Safety, Protection, and Coordination Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-978/)
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