Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have sent a letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker expressing concern over the agency’s “approach to ensuring aviation professionals can obtain mental healthcare in a timely and efficient manner.”
The letter calls on the FAA to develop and implement policies, protocols, and screening methods that allow professionals, such as pilots and air traffic controllers, to seek care without the “fear that medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment, could potentially prolong their return to work, or even prevent them from pursuing their aviation careers.” Led by subcommittee on aviation chairman Garret Graves (R-La.) and ranking member Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), a total of 45 congressional members signed the bipartisan letter.
