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Bill114th CongressFiled Sep 20, 2016Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 6076

TREAT Astronauts Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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Law

What it doesSummary passed house amended (Dec 7, 2016)

To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act or the TREAT Astronauts Act

(Sec. 3) This bill authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide for:

  • the medical monitoring and diagnosis of a former U.S. government astronaut or former payload specialist for conditions that NASA considers potentially associated with human space flight; and
  • the treatment of such an astronaut or payload specialist for conditions that NASA considers associated with human space flight, including scientific and medical tests for psychological and medical conditions.

The bill requires that such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment shall be provided without any deductible, copayment, or other cost sharing obligation.

NASA may not require such an astronaut or payload specialist to participate in the medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment authorized by this bill.

NASA shall protect the privacy of all medical records generated with respect to such medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment and accessible to NASA.

The term "government astronaut" does not include individuals who are international partner astronauts.

NASA shall arrange with an independent external organization to undertake an independent cost estimate of the cost to NASA and the federal government for the implementation and administration of the activities of NASA under this bill.

NASA shall study any potential privacy or legal issues related to the possible sharing beyond the federal government of data acquired under the activities of NASA.

The NASA Inspector General shall periodically audit or review NASA's activities to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

What just happenedDec 8, 2016

Received in the Senate.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36](R-TX)Sponsor
9 cosponsors3 D6 R
Read on Congress.gov
9cosponsors1committees14actions2related bills
  1. Dec 8, 2016IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. Dec 7, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Dec 7, 2016FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 614). (text: CR H7306-7307)

  4. Dec 7, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 413 - 0 (Roll no. 614).(text: CR H7306-7307)

  5. Dec 7, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7324-7325)

  6. Dec 7, 2016FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  7. Dec 7, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6076.

  8. Dec 7, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7306-7310)

  9. Dec 7, 2016FloorH30300

    Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  10. Sep 21, 2016Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  11. Sep 21, 2016Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  12. Sep 20, 2016IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  13. Sep 20, 2016IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  14. Sep 20, 2016IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedDec 7, 201636

To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act or the TREAT Astronauts Act

(Sec. 3) This bill authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide for:

  • the medical monitoring and diagnosis of a former U.S. government astronaut or former payload specialist for conditions that NASA considers potentially associated with human space flight; and
  • the treatment of such an astronaut or payload specialist for conditions that NASA considers associated with human space flight, including scientific and medical tests for psychological and medical conditions.

The bill requires that such medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment shall be provided without any deductible, copayment, or other cost sharing obligation.

NASA may not require such an astronaut or payload specialist to participate in the medical monitoring, diagnosis, or treatment authorized by this bill.

NASA shall protect the privacy of all medical records generated with respect to such medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment and accessible to NASA.

The term "government astronaut" does not include individuals who are international partner astronauts.

NASA shall arrange with an independent external organization to undertake an independent cost estimate of the cost to NASA and the federal government for the implementation and administration of the activities of NASA under this bill.

NASA shall study any potential privacy or legal issues related to the possible sharing beyond the federal government of data acquired under the activities of NASA.

The NASA Inspector General shall periodically audit or review NASA's activities to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

Introduced in HouseSep 20, 2016

To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act or the TREAT Astronauts Act

This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish a program that provides for the medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of crewmembers for space flight-associated medical conditions.

The bill defines "crewmember" as an individual certified by NASA to be:

  • a former NASA astronaut or payload specialist who has flown on at least one orbital space mission, or
  • a management NASA astronaut who has flown on at least one such mission and is currently employed by the federal government.

Medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment shall be provided under the program without any deductibles, copayments, or other cost sharing obligations required of participating crewmembers.

NASA shall design the program to facilitate reasonable access of a crewmember to medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment under the program, including, at crewmember's option:

  • through NASA; or
  • from a health care provider selected by the crewmember and which enters into an agreement with NASA to provide such services to the crewmember.

Participation by a crewmember under the program shall be voluntary and subject to the crewmember's written consent.

Under the program, NASA shall provide for the uniform collection of data on space flight-associated medical conditions and the identification of any new space flight-associated conditions.

NASA shall arrange with an independent organization to determine an estimate of the cost to NASA and the federal government for the implementation and administration of the program.

TREAT Astronauts Act — Informed