§2350p Reciprocal Patient Movement Agreements

Summary

The Secretary of Defense, with the Secretary of State, may make written agreements with partner countries, if money is available, so that patient-movement crews, staff, and equipment from one country can be used on another country’s aircraft, ships, or vehicles without payment. These agreements can make each country accept the other’s medical licenses, certificates, and equipment approvals, and set shared standards for how patient movement care is given, including aligning treatment steps when helpful and allowed. Before an agreement starts, the Secretary of Defense must put in writing that the partner country’s credentials and equipment meet or exceed U.S. standards and that the care will be as good as or better than Defense Department care. That certification must be sent to the congressional defense committees and the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees within 15 days. The Secretary must review and recertify at least once a year. If the Secretary cannot recertify a partner, use of that partner’s people or equipment must stop until recertified. A partner country means NATO members, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, or any other country the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State agree on. Patient movement means moving wounded, sick, injured, or exposed people to get medical, surgical, mental health, or dental care.