§2350p Reciprocal patient movement agreements

Summary

The Secretary of Defense, with the Secretary of State’s agreement and if money is available, can make formal agreements with partner countries to let patient-movement crews and equipment from one country work on another country’s aircraft, ships, or vehicles without payment. The agreements can also mean the countries accept each other’s medical personnel licenses and equipment approvals, and agree on common standards and procedures for moving and caring for patients. Before making an agreement, the Secretary of Defense must write a certification that the partner country’s personnel credentials and equipment standards meet or beat U.S. standards and will give care as good as or better than the Department of Defense. That certification must be sent to the appropriate congressional committees within 15 days and must be reviewed and renewed at least once a year. If the Secretary cannot renew a certification, use of that partner’s people or equipment must stop until recertified. Definitions: “appropriate committees of Congress” = the congressional defense committees plus the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Partner country” = any NATO member, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, or any other country the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State agree to include. “Patient movement” = moving wounded, sick, injured, or exposed people to get medical, surgical, mental health, or dental care, including contaminated or contagious patients.