[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E927-E928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 EXCHANGE OF LETTERS REGARDING H.R. 658

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOC HASTINGS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2011

  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit the 
following correspondence between Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers, 
myself, and Chairman Dave Camp regarding the inclusion of language in 
the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill permitting 
tax-exempt bonds to be used to finance the purchase of fixed-wing 
aircraft for air ambulance services.

                                     House of Representatives,

                                                   March 14, 2011.
     Hon. Dave Camp,
     Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Camp: We write to request your support for 
     the inclusion of language in the Federal Aviation 
     Administration reauthorization bill that would permit tax-
     exempt bonds to be used to finance the purchase of fixed-wing 
     aircraft to provide air ambulance services.
       Current tax law prevents states from using tax-exempt bonds 
     to finance new fixed-wing air ambulances while tax-exempt 
     bonds can be used for the acquisition of medical helicopters. 
     Aircraft and helicopters are both important for emergency 
     medical care.
       While helicopters can be used to provide air ambulance 
     services, airplanes are commonly a superior mode of emergency 
     air transportation for critically ill patients in rural 
     areas. In many instances, the use of helicopters for air 
     ambulance services in rural areas is impractical because of 
     the long distances that patients must be transported. Also, 
     airplanes present the safest and fastest mode of 
     transportation during inclement weather. Allowing states to 
     use tax-exempt bonds to finance fixed wing aircraft used 
     exclusively for emergency medical services in the same way 
     they can for helicopters will allow for better emergency 
     medical service in our rural communities and save more lives.
       Thank you for considering bringing equality to the tax code 
     for fixed-wing aircraft that provide air ambulance services.
           Sincerely,
     Doc Hastings.
     Cathy McMorris Rodgers.
                                  ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                      Washington, DC, May 3, 2011.
     Hon. Doc Hastings,
     Chairman, House Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Congressman Hastings: Thank you very much for your 
     recent letter regarding the provision in the Senate's Federal 
     Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that would 
     permit tax-exempt bonds to be used to finance the purchase of 
     fixed-wing aircraft that provide air ambulance services.
       I appreciate your leadership, as well as that of others 
     such as Representative Dave Reichert, a Member of the 
     Committee on Ways and Means, in bringing this issue to my 
     attention. As we prepare to enter negotiations with the 
     Senate on a final version of the FAA reauthorization 
     legislation, I look forward to working with you and other 
     interested Members to better understand this issue and to 
     explore possible modifications to current law in this area.
       Thank you again for your letter and interest.
           Sincerely,
     Dave Camp.
                                  ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                      Washington, DC, May 3, 2011.
     Hon. Cathy McMorris Rodgers,
     Vice Chair, House Republican Conference, Washington, DC.
       Dear Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers: Thank you very much 
     for your recent letter regarding the provision in the 
     Senate's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
     reauthorization bill that would permit tax-exempt bonds to be 
     used to finance the purchase of fixed-wing aircraft that 
     provide air ambulance services.
       I appreciate your leadership, as well as that of others 
     such as Representative Dave Reichert, a Member of the 
     Committee on Ways and Means, in bringing this issue to my 
     attention. As we prepare to enter negotiations with the 
     Senate on a final version of the FAA reauthorization 
     legislation, I look forward to working with you and other 
     interested Members to better understand this issue and to 
     explore possible modifications to current law in this area.
       Thank you again for your letter and interest.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Dave Camp.

[[Page E928]]



                          ____________________