SEATTLE—The Pilot Mental Health Campaign (PMHC) applauds the reintroduction of the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591) and the Aviation Medication Transparency Act (H.R. 2592), which were introduced by Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL) and Pete Stauber (R_MN), alongside original cosponsors Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Tracey Mann (R-KS).
These instrumental pieces of legislation would help bring the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) mental health policies and procedures into the 21st century and ensure pilots and air traffic controllers can seek the mental health care they need without fearing professional repercussions.
Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025: This bill seeks to destigmatize mental health care throughout the aviation community to ensure aviators can get the help they need and keep our skies safe. The bill would direct the FAA to update its archaic mental health policies and procedures surrounding mental health disclosures for individuals requiring a medical certificate through the FAA (pilots, air traffic controllers, etc.) It would also direct the FAA to implement recommendations from the Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group established under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, as well as the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Aviation Rulemaking Committee.
Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025: This legislation aims to establish a transparent list of approved prescription medications to allow aviators and their physicians to make appropriate and informed medical decisions and avoid pitfalls with obtaining a medical certificate. The bill would direct the FAA to host an accessible webpage dedicated to listing approved prescription medications for both physical and mental health. That list of approved medications is currently not readily available or accessible for individuals or physicians, causing confusion and a lack of transparency. This has caused aviators to unknowingly take unapproved prescription medications, leading to issues obtaining a medical certificate through the FAA.
"PMHC urges Congress to act swiftly in passing these vital pieces of legislation, emphasizing that pilots and air traffic controllers have endured mental health challenges in silence for far too long. By advancing these reforms, we can foster a modern approach to aviation mental fitness, thus creating a safer environment for all aviation professionals. We thank Representatives Casten, Stauber, Larsen, and Mann for their leadership on this important topic," said PMHC Executive Director Chris Finlayson.
PMHC relentlessly advocated for these pieces of legislation during the 118th Congress and is proud to once again fully endorse both pieces of legislation. The aviation community deserves to be able to seek the mental health care they need without the fear of professional repercussions. In addition to individual well-being, aviation safety will benefit from these needed changes.
###
For more information or interview requests, contact:
Dan Mantooth, Media Director, [email protected]
About PMHC
The Pilot Mental Health Campaign (PMHC) is the first and only non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated exclusively to reforming the broken American aeromedical system and building a safe, effective, and modern system that supports the mental health and wellbeing of American pilots and air traffic controllers. For more information, visit www.pmhc.org.