The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2024 creates a new Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate and improve fall prevention services for veterans. The office, led by a Chief Officer who reports to the Under Secretary for Health, will develop standards of care, monitor compliance at VA facilities, oversee research partnerships with the National Institute on Aging, and run a national education campaign targeting veterans at risk of falls, their families, and healthcare providers. The legislation affects all veterans receiving VA care and requires specific actions including updated safe patient handling training and policies within 180 days, establishment of a joint expert panel with the National Institute on Aging within 180 days, and submission of a comprehensive report on falls prevention initiatives to Congress within two years. The bill also requires VA nursing homes and extended care facilities to conduct annual falls risk assessments and provide prevention services through licensed physical or occupational therapists, with these requirements terminating on September 30, 2028, and directs the Secretary to study the feasibility of a pilot program for home modifications to prevent falls, with results due to Congress within one year.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.