Policy
Directive
Effective Date: May 13, 2021
Expiration Date: May 13, 2026
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NASA Policy Directive |
NPD 8900.15 Effective Date: May 13, 2021 Expiration Date: May 13, 2026 |
It is NASA's policy to provide for the medical and psychological monitoring and diagnosis of former astronauts for conditions potentially associated with spaceflight and to provide for the treatment of former astronauts for spaceflight-associated conditions per 14 CFR pt. 1241, To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts.
a. This NPD is applicable to NASA Headquarters and the Johnson Space Center (JSC).
b. In this directive, all mandatory actions (i.e. requirements) are denoted by statements containing the term "shall." The terms "may" denotes a discretionary privilege or permission, "can" denotes statements of possibility or capability, "should" denotes a good practice and is recommended, but not required, "will" denotes expected outcome, and "are/is" denotes descriptive material.
c. In this directive, all document citations are assumed to be the latest version unless otherwise noted.
a. The National Aeronautics and Space Act, 51 U.S.C. § 20113 (a).
b. Medical Monitoring and Research Relating to Human Space Flight, 51 U.S.C. § 20149.
c. To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat (TREAT) Astronauts, 14 CFR pt. 1241.
a. The Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. § 522a.
b. Privacy Act-NASA Regulations, 14 CFR 1212.
c. 10HIMS, Health Information Management System, 72 FR 55813 (October 1, 2007).
a. The Chief Health and Medical Officer (CHMO), as the TREAT Astronauts Act authority, shall:
(1) Determine which medical and psychological claims and conditions are associated with or potentially associated with spaceflight as required by 14 CFR pt. 1241.
(2) Charter the TREAT Astronauts Board (TAAB) at the JSC to evaluate individual claims under the TREAT Astronauts Act, maintain the list of conditions considered associated with spaceflight, provide recommendations to CHMO on spaceflight association of individual claims and conditions, and document dissenting opinions.
(3) Appoint, with concurrence from the JSC Center Director, the TAAB membership.
(4) Notify the NASA Administrator of CHMO claims decisions based on TAAB case dispositions, including recommendations and dissenting opinions.
(5) Notify the Agency Chief Financial Officer (CFO), annually or as necessary, of charges for medical care covered under 14 CFR pt. 1241.
(6) Notify the General Counsel of cases in which illness or injury may lead to spaceflight-associated condition claims against the Agency.
(7) Direct studies to enhance, inform, and clarify data related to spaceflight associated physiology and pathology, or the implementation of 14 CFR pt. 1241.
(8) Provide for the furthering of spaceflight knowledge related to evidence acquired and gained through 14 CFR pt. 1241 by working with the Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs Chief Medical Officer, Federal Aviation Administration Federal Air Surgeon, and other entities as needed to impart a greater understanding of spaceflight-associated physiology, pathology, and hazards.
(9) Provide an annual report to the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (OLIA) for submission to Congress detailing the cost of implementing this program as required by 51 U.S.C. § 20149. This report will include, at a minimum:
(a) Annual detailed cost account of the monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of eligible individuals under the TREAT Astronauts Act.
(b) A five-year budget.
b. The TAAB Chair shall:
(1) Lead the evaluation of individual spaceflight-associated condition claims and documenting recommendations and dissenting opinions.
(2) Notify the CHMO of TAAB case dispositions, including dissenting opinions, and recommendations.
c. The JSC Center Director shall:
(1) Provide access to medical care under 14 CFR pt. 1241.
(2) Acquire healthcare data related to the monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of former astronauts who are being provided care under 14 CFR pt. 1241, in order to better inform human health risks for both Government and commercial spaceflight.
(3) Submit an annual report to the CHMO detailing medical care and associated costs provided to former astronauts authorized by 14 CFR pt. 1241.
(4) Host the TAAB and concur on CHMO appointments to the TAAB.
(5) Develop and implement quality assessments using industry or Government best practices to evaluate program effectiveness.
d. All medical information is subject to protections under The Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, 5 U.S.C. § 522a, Privacy Act-NASA Regulations, 14 CFR 1212, and 10HIMS, Health Information Management System, 72 FR 55813 (October 1, 2007).
None.
a. The CHMO measures compliance with this directive by requiring:
(1) An annual report detailing TAAB activities, recommendations and costs.
(2) Periodic quality assessments to evaluate effectiveness.
NID 1241.126, To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat (TREAT) Astronauts Policy dated March 18, 2020.
CFO Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
CHMO Chief Health and Medical Officer
JSC Johnson Space Center
OLIA Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
TAAB TREAT Astronauts Act Board
TREAT To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat
None.
This document does not bind the public, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract. This document is uncontrolled when printed. Check the NASA Online Directives Information System (NODIS) Library to verify that this is the correct version before use: https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov.