Veterans' Affairs Committee, Education and Workforce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill aims to significantly enhance falls prevention efforts for veterans by establishing the Office of Falls Prevention (OFP) within the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration. Led by a Chief Officer, the OFP will centralize and improve the VA's approach to reducing falls, monitoring activities, developing and implementing standards of care, and identifying deficiencies across VA medical facilities, home programs, and community care. The Office's functions include overseeing resource distribution, promoting clinical research and educational activities, and coordinating home modification programs. A key initiative is a national public education campaign targeting at-risk veterans, their families, and providers, alongside grants for local campaigns. The OFP will also collaborate with the VA Office of Research and Development and the National Institute on Aging to conduct research on evidence-based falls prevention programs, covering areas like home modifications, medication management, and safe patient handling. The legislation mandates specific requirements for veteran care, including annual falls risk assessments and prevention services by licensed physical or occupational therapists for veterans in VA nursing homes and those receiving extended care. Additionally, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must issue or update directives on safe patient handling and mobility policies , requiring biennial training and access to appropriate technology in VA facilities. The bill also requires a report to Congress on the feasibility of a pilot program for home improvements to prevent falls and a comprehensive report on existing falls prevention initiatives within the VA.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
AgingCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsExecutive agency funding and structureHealth personnelHealth promotion and preventive careLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal careMedical researchVeterans' medical care
SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-3183| House
| Updated: 5/5/2025
This bill aims to significantly enhance falls prevention efforts for veterans by establishing the Office of Falls Prevention (OFP) within the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration. Led by a Chief Officer, the OFP will centralize and improve the VA's approach to reducing falls, monitoring activities, developing and implementing standards of care, and identifying deficiencies across VA medical facilities, home programs, and community care. The Office's functions include overseeing resource distribution, promoting clinical research and educational activities, and coordinating home modification programs. A key initiative is a national public education campaign targeting at-risk veterans, their families, and providers, alongside grants for local campaigns. The OFP will also collaborate with the VA Office of Research and Development and the National Institute on Aging to conduct research on evidence-based falls prevention programs, covering areas like home modifications, medication management, and safe patient handling. The legislation mandates specific requirements for veteran care, including annual falls risk assessments and prevention services by licensed physical or occupational therapists for veterans in VA nursing homes and those receiving extended care. Additionally, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must issue or update directives on safe patient handling and mobility policies , requiring biennial training and access to appropriate technology in VA facilities. The bill also requires a report to Congress on the feasibility of a pilot program for home improvements to prevent falls and a comprehensive report on existing falls prevention initiatives within the VA.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
AgingCongressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsExecutive agency funding and structureHealth personnelHealth promotion and preventive careLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal careMedical researchVeterans' medical care