SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025
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This bill would establish a VA Office of Falls Prevention to improve safety, education, and mobility assessments for aging veterans.
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Last regenerated The bill has had legislative action since.
What it does
This bill would establish an Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration to manage education campaigns and improve healthcare services related to fall prevention for veterans. It proposes expanding the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities to include the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and requires the VA to update policies regarding safe patient handling. Additionally, the bill would mandate fall risk assessments by licensed therapists for certain veterans and require a study on the feasibility of a pilot program for home modifications to prevent falls.
Who is affected
This bill directly affects veterans, their families, and health care providers through the establishment of a national falls prevention education campaign and mandatory falls risk assessments conducted by licensed physical or occupational therapists. It also impacts the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which must establish a new Office of Falls Prevention and update facility directives regarding safe patient handling. Additionally, the bill expands the membership of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities to include the VA.
Key provisions
- Establishment of the Office of Falls Prevention. Creates a dedicated office within the Veterans Health Administration to oversee, evaluate, and improve health care services related to falls prevention. This office is tasked with managing a national education campaign for veterans, their families, and providers to increase awareness of available VA falls prevention benefits.
- Expansion of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging. Adds the Department of Veterans Affairs as a member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities.
- Updated Patient Handling and Mobility Directives. Requires the VA to issue or update Veterans Health Administration directives for facilities and providers regarding safe patient handling and mobility policies.
- Home Improvement Pilot Program Assessment. Directs the VA to study the feasibility of a pilot program that provides home improvements and structural alterations specifically designed to prevent falls for eligible veterans.
- Mandatory Falls Risk Assessments. Requires the VA to ensure that certain veterans receive falls risk assessments conducted by licensed physical or occupational therapists.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
The bill expands the membership of the existing Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities to include the Department of Veterans Affairs. It also requires the update of Veterans Health Administration directives regarding safe patient handling and explores pilot programs for home improvements authorized under current veterans' health laws.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to improve mobility and aging care for veterans by establishing a dedicated Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration to oversee education, safety policies, and risk assessments. Its primary intent is to reduce falls among veterans through increased awareness of available services, updated safety directives, and the exploration of home modification programs.