RESCUE Act of 2025

This bill, known as the "RESCUE Act of 2025," aims to ensure the enduring operational integrity of the Department of the Army's aeromedical evacuation capabilities within its Medical Service Corps. It mandates that the Medical Service Corps maintain a dedicated aeromedical evacuation capability , encompassing specialized personnel, comprehensive training, specific doctrine, and aircraft configured solely for these critical missions. This is intended to preserve the Corps' role as the primary joint service provider for intra-theater aeromedical evacuation, supporting combatant commands, contingency operations, and humanitarian efforts. The legislation clarifies that while the Army's aviation branch has authority over organizing and equipping aviation assets, the medical department, under the Surgeon General, retains authority for medical command and control , patient care responsibilities, and clinical standards for aeromedical evacuation operations. Furthermore, the bill prohibits restructuring this distinct capability into general-purpose or dual-use configurations without prior notification to congressional defense committees. Such notification must include a formal risk assessment on operational medical readiness and a report based on current Army force structure authorizations, ensuring any changes account for operational medical requirements and joint force needs.