Document MMpo7qzwGJ20Ge9aDoaVZjvnz

KEN CALVERT 41 ST DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA 2205 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON. DC 20515-0541 12021225-1986 400 SOUTH VICENTIA AVENUE SUITE 125 CORONA, CA 92882 19511 277-0042 73-710 FRED WARING DRIVE SUITE 129 PALM DESERT, CA 92260 17601620-0041 UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 5, 2025 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES: CHAIRMAN DEFENSE ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT CALVERT.HOUSE.GOV FACESOOR.COM/PEPKENCALVERT INSTAGRAM: REPKENCALVERT The Honorable Sean Duffy Secretary of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Urgent Need to Review In-Flight Medical Equipment and Crew Training Standards Dear Secretary Duffy: I appreciate the work that your department is doing to modernize our federal transportation infrastructure. However, I am writing to express growing concern over the state of medical preparedness aboard commercial aircraft in light of a recent emergency that underscores the critical gaps in equipment reliability and crew training. Recent incidents have highlighted potential shortcomings that, if unaddressed, could jeopardize passenger safety. On February 5, 2025, Dr. Jacquelyn Lacera--a physician and constituent residing in my congressional district--suffered a serious cardiac event aboard an American Airlines flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles. Fortunately, another medical professional, physician assistant Emily Haley, was onboard to intervene. However, the plane's pulse oximeter and glucose monitor were non-functional, the stethoscope was damaged, and flight attendants were slow to retrieve the AED. Dr. Lacera had to be shocked back to stability without sedation--a traumatic and unnecessary escalation in part due to the lack of functioning resources. This incident underscores the critical importance of ensuring that all emergency medical equipment is not only present but also fully operational, and that flight crews are adequately trained to respond to medical emergencies. The Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 mandates that airlines carry functional defibrillators and that flight attendants are trained to use them. While airlines may meet the minimum Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, those standards are outdated given the realities of modern travel--especially for older or medically vulnerable passengers. In light of these concerns, I respectfully urge the Department of Transportation to: 1. Review and modernize FAA regulations regarding in-flight medical kits to ensure equipment is high-quality, up-to-date, and fully functional. OST-2025-1200 Page 02001 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0027882 2. Standardize medical training for flight crews across airlines, including minimum instructional hours and competencies in responding to cardiovascular emergencies. 3. Mandate periodic inspections and audits of emergency equipment on commercial aircraft to ensure operational readiness. 4. Encourage or implement programs like those used in European carriers, where medical professionals can register as emergency responders and receive airline-specific training. Ensuring the safety and well-being of airline passengers must remain a paramount priority. By addressing these critical issues, the Department can help prevent future tragedies and reinforce public confidence in air travel. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am available to discuss this further and provide any additional information you may require. Sincerely, KEN CALVERT Member of Congress OST-2025-1200 Page 02002 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0027883