Wed, Mar 12, 2003
Congressman Ed Schrock (R-2-VA) has introduced
H.R. 1084, the Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act. This
legislation addresses a growing problem that threatens the future
of organizations (such as Angel Flight, located in Virginia Beach,
VA) that provide free air transportation to needy medical
patients.
"This legislation will help volunteer pilot organizations
continue the valuable services they provide to cancer patients,
transplant recipients, and other medical patients across the
country," said Schrock. "For the thousands of families who cannot
afford to drive or fly thousands of miles to receive care,
volunteer pilot organizations are literally a life saver."
Scores of volunteer pilots organizations work with a network of
over 8,000 volunteer pilots to coordinate free flights to medical
facilities, often hundreds of miles away, for patients who suffer
from rare diseases or require specialized medical care.
Closes Loophole
These organizations are facing prohibitively high
insurance costs because of a clause in the Volunteer Protection Act
(P.L. 105-19) relating to volunteers operating aircraft. The VPA
protects volunteers from frivolous lawsuits: however, the VPA does
not protect volunteer pilots or the volunteers who organize
flights.
Liability insurance for volunteer pilot organizations that
previously cost $1,000 a year now costs more than $25,000. The
Volunteer Pilot Organization Protection Act, Schrock says, will
ensure that these organizations will be able to provide their
services to needy patients and families for years to come by adding
them to the coverage of the Volunteer Protection Act.
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