Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) released the following statements after introducing the bipartisan SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act, which would help older Veterans avoid injuries from costly, dangerous falls.

“Falls are the leading cause of injury among people over age 65. A new VA effort to keep our Veterans on their feet is important for the thousands of senior Veterans who live in South Florida and across the country,” said Rep. Frankel. “We owe the men and women who served in our military full support in maintaining their health and well-being. I am proud to co-lead this bill.”

“Preventative health care measures give our nation’s veterans a healthier, more resilient future,” said Rep. Budzinski. “The SAFE STEPS Act reflects our commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by older veterans, who are at a higher risk of serious falls and their consequences. By establishing an Office of Falls Prevention and integrating effective programs into VA home modification efforts, we aim to reduce the incidence of falls and the associated high costs. Our veterans deserve the best care and support, and this legislation will help ensure their long-term safety and well-being.”

“As our population continues to age, the VA must be proactive in its efforts to identify and address necessary improvements in care for older Veterans,” said Rep. Bergman. “The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act will help drastically enhance the health and quality of life for those at risk of falls while reducing the need for costly recovery programs resulting from these preventable injuries. I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan, commonsense bill.”

“As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I have seen firsthand how falls can impact our older adults’ health and overall quality of life,” said Rep. Kiggans. “Elder veterans are particularly at risk, and it is critical to do all we can to protect them after they protected us. The VA should be doing more to focus on elder care and this legislation is a step in the right direction. I am glad to co-lead the SAFE STEPS Act to advocate for resources, education, and fall-prevention programs for our older veterans.”

The bill would:

• Establish an Office of Falls Prevention and create a falls prevention coordinator within the Veterans Health Administration;
• Require the fall prevention coordinator to work with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop Veterans-specific research for evidence-based fall prevention programs;
• Require a report on Falls Prevention Initiatives in the Department of Veterans Affairs;
• Make improvements to Safe Patient Handling Transfer Techniques, which ensure that injured or paralyzed Veterans are safely transferred between seated positions;
• Create a pilot program for current home modification grant programs to incorporate evidence-based fall prevention programs as a component of receipt of grant funding;
• And establish a Falls Assessment and Fall Prevention Service requirement for Veterans to screen for those at risk of falling and to better ensure care plans are developed.

For full text of the bill, click here.

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