HOUSE, SENATE INCLUDE MEDICAL REFORM IN FAA EXTENSION

[GeorgePerry]

House and Senate negotiators have agreed on an FAA extension deal that includes third class medical reforms and will keep the agency operating through September 2017.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2016/july/06/house-includes-medical-reform-in-faa-extension

[M20S Driver]

GREAT NEWS  ----Thanks

[prflyer]

Very good news! Thanks George!

 

[GeorgePerry]

7 minutes ago, M20S Driver said:

GREAT NEWS  ----Thanks

Its been a long time coming...Thanks for everyone's patience.

[cnoe]

I'm cautiously optimistic. Thank you all for keeping the pressure on your legislators, and your AOPA reps. And thank you George.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DonMuncy]

George,

I hate to sound like a wet blanket, but it doesn't seem to me we are a lot better off (assuming the things I have been reading are true). I seems we are trading an exam from an AME who is closely regulated in what he is to examine, and what the parameters are, for an exam by "some" doctor who is guessing at what he thinks are important items for a pilot and his interpretation of the parameters.

Will the cost be better? Who knows. Will there be a shopping spree for doctors who aren't too worried about what it takes to be a safe pilot? How long will it be before a plaintiff's lawyer sues a doctor for "certifying" an impaired pilot? Will the word then spread, so no doctor will be willing to sign you off, without dozens of tests, if at all?

This is a long way from self certifying with a driver's license.

I think for the foreseeable future, I will still be visiting my friendly AME.

Hope my fears are unjustified.

[Danb]

Don unfortunately my thoughts exactly, I didn't want to go to my Ame in January but that cats out the window due to the year for the FAA to set up regulations, is there any chance they will take less than a year, probably not.

[DXB]

11 minutes ago, DonMuncy said:

How long will it be before a plaintiff's lawyer sues a doctor for "certifying" an impaired pilot? Will the word then spread, so no doctor will be willing to sign you off, without dozens of tests, if at all?

Coming from a physician's perspective, I share very similar concerns with Don.  From a liability standpoint, I would be very uncomfortable filling out the kind of paperwork that is proposed here. I doubt I'd even be willing to do it as a favor to a pilot buddy - and unfortunately it is inevitable that someone will ask me. The AME benefits from legal protection conferred by following a very standardized process. Outside of this structure, combining the litigiousness of aviation and medicine is a terrifying prospect.  The lack of a reimbursement mechanism or established out of pocket fee structure for non-AME physicians who also fill these out occasionally is also a barrier.  Like Don, I expect to keep going to my AME every couple of years.

[carusoam]

Thanks for the great follow through and follow-up, George!

 

The old system had fallen short over time.

all hail the new system!

I hope the new system is better than the old system. I wish this were truely a better system.

wish and hopeful thinking make a lousy flight plan.

Pray for the best,  

-a-

[Marauder]

19 minutes ago, DXB said:

Coming from a physician's perspective, I share very similar concerns with Don.  From a liability standpoint, I would be very uncomfortable filling out the kind of paperwork that is proposed here. I doubt I'd even be willing to do it as a favor to a pilot buddy - and unfortunately it is inevitable that someone will ask me. The AME benefits from legal protection conferred by following a very standardized process. Outside of this structure, combining the litigiousness of aviation and medicine is a terrifying prospect.  The lack of a reimbursement mechanism or established out of pocket fee structure for non-AME physicians who also fill these out occasionally is also a barrier.  Like Don, I expect to keep going to my AME every couple of years.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am going to start using Dev as my physician! 

Like Dev & Don, I share the same concern. I have been through the SI process. Part of that process required me to obtain a summary from my primary physician indicating my condition was stable. He basically refused to provide any sort of attestation until I provided him a legal document stating that the final determination of my medical status would be made by the FAA and my AME. How do you think I would fare under the new requirements? If there is any good news, it doesn't sound like the medical reform will require you to be locked into any physician.

[chrisk]

Not to be a smart ass, but all the doom and gloom seems unwarranted.  It seems to me like class 2 medicals will still be required and one could always get one of those.   --And for the folks that have conditions that make a class 2 difficult or impossible, there is always a quack somewhere that needs a few extra dollars.

[steingar]

First, I see nothing about doing away with the third class medical.  If that's what you want go get it.  I'll ask my doc if this goes through.  I've been his patient for years, though he doesn't know me terribly well because I only go to see him once every two years before I get my medical so he can write a letter and do all the tests for my gout.  If he signs, (which I think he will) I'm done for however long (4 years was the last I saw).  If not, I can always go through the third class.

Doctors sign all sorts of things, I can't believe this would even come close to fazing them.  Morerover, the suit against the physician is going to have to prove that the loss was due to medical incapacitation that the doctor should have known about.  That's a pretty high bar.

[AndyFromCB]

This is a solution in search of the problem. Introduced of course by Jim Inhofe, for Jim Inhofe, whom should have given up long time ago judging by his past fiascos including the one from last week. This guy landed on a closed runway, with a giant yellow X and crews working on it.

Only people I have ever known whom could not pass 3rd class had no business flying. There is an older gentleman at my airport, nicest guy I've ever met, took him flying a few times, he's been trying to get his medical back for 10 years now. Still involved in the community, volunteering a lot, etc., but I've seen him wondering around the FBO, trying to open closets thinking they are the bathroom door. So instead of clear, precise guidelines we used to have, now we get this mess and it will force the Bravo, Acclaim and all turbine drivers to instead seek Class II medical. Great. What a waste of time. And with demand eliminated for Class III, good luck finding an AME for your Class II.

Edited July 7, 2016 by AndyFromCB

[steingar]

Just now, AndyFromCB said:

This is a solution in search of the problem...Only people I have ever known whom could not pass 3rd class had no business flying. 

Last medical took me on the order of two months.  I kept going back to the AME and kept needing more shit.  That's for gout, by the way, who's worst effect is making my big toe hurt.  Heck, I flew during my worst attack (didn't know any better at the time).  I have to admit I wasn't in a big hurry to stomp on the right rudder, but it just wasn't that big a deal.  All this so I can fly an airplane that weighs less than most cars.  The kinetic energy of my Mooney is roughly the same as an SUV moving at freeway speeds, which most do within inches of other vehicles with no medical inspection at all.

[flyboy0681]

Looks like the sausage machine strikes again. Everybody here should recall that the original intention of the change was to eliminate medical exams entirely and rely on the pilots ability to renew their drivers license. If they could drive, the could fly.

Oh well.

 

 

Edited July 7, 2016 by flyboy0681

[Danb]

Not me but a couple good friends have had Si and both heart stents, since they have had treatment they are arguably better off than the guy that flies, has heart problems and decides not to go to the Dr since he wants to keep his license, my good friend who had a heart attack 15 yrs ago sat at work on a stool trying to decide if he should go to the hospital due to his flying he dropped over and woke up in the accident ward.

The faqs on the AOPA website for the 3rd class med reform  page 8  outlines those with cardiovascular  conditions and the limitations, it says coronary heart disease that requires treatment along with those that satisfy the one-time special issuance . What is a coronary heart disease requiring treatment, i.e. high blood pressure, stent replacement etc. How are we to determine what that means, I assume thats what the FAA will outline in the next year, once they start writing these guidelines do we really think they will be easier than those on a SI today? It would be hard pressed for them to write guidelines without loopholes. Just an opion.

A far cry from a drivers license medical.

 

 

[flyboy0681]

26 minutes ago, Danb said:

 

A far cry from a drivers license medical.

 

 

Here's the original press release from AOPA on the subject, way back in 2013. I knew it sounded too good to be true.

 

The General Aviation Pilot Protection Act would allow pilots to use the driver’s license medical standard for noncommercial VFR flights in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds with no more than six seats. That includes virtually all single-engine airplanes with six or fewer seats, including Beech Bonanzas, as well as many light twins like the Piper Aztec, Beech Baron 55 and 58, and Cessna 310. By way of comparison, most large SUVs on the roads today weigh more than 6,000 pounds and can carry six to seven passengers, making them larger than the aircraft that would be operated with proof of a valid driver’s license under this new bill. 

Pilots would be allowed to carry up to five passengers, fly at altitudes below 14,000 feet msl, and fly no faster than 250 knots. The act also would require the FAA to report on the safety consequences of the new rule after five years.

 

Edited July 7, 2016 by flyboy0681

[Marauder]

19 hours ago, GeorgePerry said:

House and Senate negotiators have agreed on an FAA extension deal that includes third class medical reforms and will keep the agency operating through September 2017.

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2016/july/06/house-includes-medical-reform-in-faa-extension

George -- do you have a link for the bill? Strange there was no mention of the medical reform in this article coming from the Aviation Brief newsletter: https://skift.com/2016/07/06/congress-is-finally-about-to-approve-an-aviation-bill-to-relieve-lines-and-boost-security/

[bonal]

Our regular MD has retired recently and we have not started with a new doc and his practice has closed.  I might just call my AME and see if we can become regular patients. unfortunately means a longer trip from home.  But like others have said I think the original intent was to just be like the sport class and not require anything more than DMV license status.  as for the third class as I said on another post its just easy to use the FAA 3rd class registration and then pay the 100 and get it done.  I might not be qualified to own an airplane cause I'm not spending as much as some think I should on my airplane but I can swing a lousy 100 every 2 years.

[AndyFromCB]

2 hours ago, flyboy0681 said:

Looks like the sausage machine strikes again. Everybody here should recall that the original intention of the change was to eliminate medical exams entirely and rely on the pilots ability to renew their drivers license. If they could drive, the could fly.

Oh well.

 

 

And the sausage never gets better, at least we all knew how to 'cook' the last one

15 minutes ago, bonal said:

Our regular MD has retired recently and we have not started with a new doc and his practice has closed.  I might just call my AME and see if we can become regular patients. unfortunately means a longer trip from home.  But like others have said I think the original intent was to just be like the sport class and not require anything more than DMV license status.  as for the third class as I said on another post its just easy to use the FAA 3rd class registration and then pay the 100 and get it done.  I might not be qualified to own an airplane cause I'm not spending as much as some think I should on my airplane but I can swing a lousy 100 every 2 years.

Last thing you want is for your AME to be your regular doctor, makes 'cooking' that much harder.

[bonal]

Makes sense and isn't what I'd do but even though I have good health ins most practices are not taking new and in fact closing shop Too much gov't over site.

[Cruiser]

The way I see it the new medical reform will do two major things.

1. Get pilots (afraid of losing their medicals) that should be receiving treatment for medical issues to their doctor for that treatment.

2. Fix current system that requires the pilot to get all kinds of additional tests (from their local medical professional) and send it to the FAA (who never actually perform any medical examination) for approval by eliminating the burdensome oversight of some far away people looking over the paperwork of the doctor that is actually doing the medical treatments. 

I never could understand how sending paperwork and test results from your local doctor to the FAA makes a pilot safe to fly. Now you can deal directly with your local doctor and get the same result.

[flyboy0681]

1 hour ago, bonal said:

Makes sense and isn't what I'd do but even though I have good health ins most practices are not taking new and in fact closing shop Too much gov't over site.

Not to resurrect Little Timmy, but contrary to popular belief, doctors are not closing shop - not even close. Medicare reported that their applications from physicians wishing to accept Medicare patients was up 9% between 2013 and 2014. While it's true that many decided not to accept Obamacare plans and/or Medicaid, they still accept members from the major carriers. Those practices that aren't accepting new patients are doing so because they have too much business to handle. Add to the mix that the AMA has reported record new membership levels between 2013 and 2015. Although that doesn't indicate the state of doctors leaving the profession, it's probably a barometer.

The only doctors who closed down their practice were those who were close to retirement and didn't feel like going through the expense and trouble of implementing Electronic Medical Records and switching over the the new ICD-10 coding system.

You may know a doc or two who called it quits (did they retire or start flipping burgers?), but four of my closest friends are physicians (one who loves to fly in the Mooney) and not one of them has uttered a single word to me about leaving medicine. As a matter of fact, I flew recently with my cardiologist buddy who is turning 60 and we spoke about retirement over lunch. I asked him when he plans on pulling the trigger, to which he said - never. 

However, I do think I know were people get these ideas. This headline appeared on a Fox New page from 2012 "Report: 83 Percent of Doctors Have Considered Quitting Over ObamaCare",  in addition to hundreds of other doomsday stories out there that simply didn't come to be. My takeaway, don't believe everything you read.

 

[AndyFromCB]

Just now, flyboy0681 said:

Not to resurrect Little Timmy, but contrary to popular belief, doctors are not closing shop - not even close. Medicare reported that their applications from physicians wishing to accept Medicare patients was up 9% between 2013 and 2014. While it's true that many decided not to accept Obamacare plans and/or Medicaid, they still accept members from the major carriers. Those practices that aren't accepting new patients are doing so because they have too much business to handle. Add to the mix that the AMA has reported record new membership levels between 2013 and 2015. Although that doesn't indicate the state of doctors leaving the profession, it's probably a barometer.

The only doctors who closed down their practice were those who were close to retirement and didn't feel like going through the expense and trouble of implementing Electronic Medical Records and switching over the the new ICD-10 coding system.

You may know a doc or two who called it quits (did they retire or start flipping burgers?), but four of my closest friends are physicians (one who loves to fly in the Mooney) and not one of them has uttered a single word to me about leaving medicine. As a matter of fact, I flew recently with my cardiologist buddy who is turning 60 and we spoke about retirement over lunch. I asked him when he plans on pulling the trigger, to which he said - never. 

However, I do think I know were people get these ideas. This headline appeared on a Fox New page from 2012 "Report: 83 Percent of Doctors Have Considered Quitting Over ObamaCare",  in addition to hundreds of other doomsday stories out there that simply didn't come to be. My takeaway, don't believe everything you read.

 

You and your pesky facts...Funny thing, with the first kid on the way, I noticed a brand spanking new pediatric clinic just few blocks down from the house. Awesome. Did I mention, first time ever, and I do mean ever, health care rates for the company dropped by about 11% this year and 9% prior year. 

[flyboy0681]

Just now, AndyFromCB said:

You and your pesky facts...Funny thing, with the first kid on the way, I noticed a brand spanking new pediatric clinic just few blocks down from the house. Awesome. Did I mention, first time ever, and I do mean ever, health care rates for the company dropped by about 11% this year and 9% prior year. 

The horror.

The horror.