Washington, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives last week unanimously approved the To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act (H.R. 6076), or “TREAT” Astronauts Act. The bill, sponsored by Space Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX), establishes a spaceflight occupational healthcare program for former American astronauts. Chairman Babin’s full statement on the TREAT Act can be viewed here.  A summary of the bill can be found here.

“I am proud to say that I represent a great number of these astronauts who call the Houston area home,” said Space Subcommittee Chairman Babin. “As a nation we have obligations to those we put in harm’s way.  As a Congress, we have a responsibility to provide for the treatment of conditions caused by federal service.  As a health care professional and as their representative, you could say it is my duty to make sure these folks are taken care of properly. This is why I have sponsored H.R. 6076, the “TREAT Astronauts Act,” a common sense, fiscally responsible, bipartisan bill that makes sure our brave men and woman that venture into space receive support for medical issues associated with their service.”

The TREAT Astronauts Act authorizes NASA to provide former astronauts medical monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological and medical conditions associated with their space flight. It builds upon existing NASA research authorities and NASA’s Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health program.

“In an age when spaceflight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook how dangerous it is and how little we know about its long-term health effects. H.R. 6076, the “TREAT Astronauts Act,” ensures that our courageous men and women who venture into space receive support for medical issues associated with their service,” said House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX). “I thank Space Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin for introducing this legislation and for his persistence in getting us to the point of passage.”

Leaders in Spaceflight Medicine Praise the TREAT Act:

“I am writing to express my sincere thanks to Chairman Babin for his leadership and instrumental support of the TREAT Astronaut Act. This important legislation will provide lifelong support for medical issues that arise as a result of astronauts' service. Additionally, it will help protect future generations of American space explorers who will continue to press the boundaries of exploration and human performance. Moreover, the lessons learned and the medical technologies developed will continue to have tremendous applications back here on earth, notably remote medical care, telemedicine and gerontology. As a veteran astronaut, physician, technology entrepreneur and advisor to various NASA and National Academies boards, I consider this bill critical to our nation's future in space.”

Scott Parazynski, MD
STS-66, 86, 95, 100, 120
CEO, Fluidity Technologies

“The TREAT Astronaut Act is an important bill aligned with our Nation’s preeminence in human space exploration and value placed on the health and safety of United States former astronauts and payload specialists. The Act recognizes the responsibility to comprehensively care for our spacefaring men and women who have bravely served our country. It will also reap benefits in new knowledge and understanding of long-term biomedical risks associated with spaceflight, and inform strategies to mitigate those risks with potential applications to enhance healthcare on Earth.”

Jeffrey P. Sutton, M.D., Ph.D.
CEO, National Space Biomedical Research Institute

“Many thanks to Chairman Babin for his support of what I believe is an important issue for NASA and the nation, the safety and health of America’s Astronauts. Since my retirement from the Astronaut Office, I have been an advocate and supporter of the need to provide healthcare for this group of Americans who risk their lives to explore space. I have been involved in driving this initiative as a member of the NASA Medical Policies Board, National Academy of Medicine Health Board and others during my tenue as an Astronaut. As a physician, the TREAT Astronauts Act is critical.”

Bernard A. Harris, Jr., MD, MBA
CEO & Managing Director
Vesalius Ventures