Washington, DC – Today, Representative Lois Frankel (FL-21), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a hearing on healthy aging. The hearing, entitled Healthy Aging: Maximizing the Independence, Well-being, and Health of Older Adults, examined the top health issues facing seniors, including falls, mental health, nutrition, and elder justice.

“We have over 365,000 seniors living in Palm Beach County, and one of them is very special to me—my 96-year-old mother,” said Rep. Frankel. “After her recent fall and recovery, I learned that she was one of 36 million older Americans who fall every year. Through further research, I discovered that medical expenses related to elderly falls cost our health system billions of dollars annually. While there are strategies for prevention, current investments in federal fall prevention programs are too small. Our hearing brought this important information to Members, with policy recommendations for going forward.”

For video of Rep. Frankel’s questions for the panel, click here.

In April, Rep. Frankel led a bipartisan letter to LHHS Chair Rosa DeLauro and Ranking Member Tom Cole requesting increased funding for programs aimed at preventing falls among older adults. 

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