Beyond the Bills: Why H.R. 9243 and H.R. 2591 Fall Short on HIMS Reform

Two new bipartisan bills—H.R. 9243 (Aviation Medication Transparency Act) and H.R. 2591 (Mental Health in Aviation Act)—offer long-overdue changes to how the FAA handles mental health and medication policy for pilots. But while both mark a step forward, they fall critically short of addressing the systemic issues at the heart of the HIMS Program.

The Good News

Both bills are clear signs that Congress is beginning to acknowledge pilot concerns. They aim to make FAA policy more transparent, evidence-based, and humane by:

• 📋 Publishing a list of allowable and disqualifying medications (H.R. 9243)
• 🔄 Mandating annual review of Special Issuance (SI) mental health procedures (H.R. 2591)
• 👥 Expanding access to trained AMEs and psychiatrists
• 📣 Launching campaigns to reduce mental health stigma

The Glaring Gaps

What neither bill does is confront the underlying power structure and systemic abuse that many pilots face once enrolled in the HIMS Program:

• ❌ No oversight of HIMS AMEs or psychiatrists who may impose unscientific, punitive, or unnecessary requirements
• ❌ No independent appeals process for pilots facing unreasonable Special Issuance extensions
• ❌ No transparency into HIMS outcomes, success rates, or complaints
• ❌ No protection for pilots from coercion or retaliation by FAA-aligned consultants
• ❌ No recognition of alternative recovery pathways like the proposed AEROPath model

P4HR's Position

We support these bills as important first steps—but they must be followed by real HIMS reform. We urge Congress to:

• 🛡️ Create a formal Pilot Bill of Rights specific to FAA medical certification
• ⚖️ Establish independent review panels for HIMS-related disputes
• 📊 Require publication of anonymized HIMS performance data
• 🧪 Mandate that all HIMS decisions be based on scientific evidence, not doctrine or coercion
• 🔀 Allow pilot-directed third-party compliance options

Until these issues are addressed, the HIMS Program will continue to function as a system of compliance control—not compassionate recovery.

Join the Movement

If you're a pilot affected by HIMS—or simply someone who believes in fairness and science-based policy—we invite you to support our mission at PilotsForHIMSReform.org.