WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) are introducing bipartisan legislation to help veterans “Stand Strong” and avoid injuries from costly, dangerous falls. The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act would establish an Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The legislation would also establish the position of a ‘falls prevention coordinator’ role, create a pilot program for incorporating falls prevention programs into Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home modification programs, and establish an assessment for veterans to identify those most at risk of falling.

Since veterans, on average, have more chronic conditions than non-veterans, additional programs would be incredibly important to prevent unnecessary injuries or hospitalizations — and the massive expenses associated with falls. In fact, it’s estimated that $80 billion a year, including $56 billion from Medicare and Medicaid alone, is spent on direct medical costs for falls among older adults, up from $50 billion a decade ago. Over 14 million, or one in four, adults ages 65 and older report falling each year. Twenty percent of these falls result in serious injuries resulting in more than 800,000 hospitalizations each year. Falls are caused by a variety of risk factors, such as lower body weakness, balance issues, vitamin D deficiency, hearing issues, vision issues, use of certain medications, and/or home hazards.

On a percentage basis, Maine leads the nation with the largest 65 and older population. In 2021, there were 325 deaths in Maine attributed to older adult falls and Maine ranked 8th highest in the nation per capita on the rate of deaths due to falls.

“We all know the saying that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ so preventative action is a win-win for patients, family support systems, VA beneficiaries and taxpayers,” said Senator King. “The bipartisan SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act will ensure older veterans in Maine and across the United States have access to a dedicated office and resources solely focused on their health and safety in the falls prevention space. Thanks to my colleague, Senator Rounds, for continuing to prioritize our veterans who continue to give so much to our country.”

“America’s veterans deserve access to the preventative care solutions that evidence-based slip and fall prevention programs offer,” said Senator Rounds. “It’s our responsibility to make certain veterans have access to these programs so they can live safely and comfortably after giving their time and talents to protect our great nation. I’m proud to join Senator King in reintroducing the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act to build and expand fall prevention programs at the VA.”

Falls prevention is an interdisciplinary approach that requires screening and coordination among health care providers, referral to community-based falls prevention programs, and addressing home-based risks. However, neither the VA nor VHA currently have a single authority that leads falls prevention efforts for the Department. Additionally, while VA provides funding for home modification programs for certain veterans’ populations, these programs do not incorporate evidence-based falls prevention programs into their work. The VHA also does not include a requirement that veterans at risk be screened, leaving too many veterans susceptible to otherwise preventable falls.

More specifically, the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act would:

• Establish an Office of Falls Prevention and creates a falls prevention coordinator within VHA;
• Relatedly, it would make the falls prevention coordinator the point person on federal panels focused on falls prevention, including the HHS Administration on Community Living’s Interagency Coordinating Committee on Aging.
• Would require the falls prevention coordinator to develop a national education campaign to promote injury prevention programs.
• Require the falls prevention coordinator to work with NIH to develop veterans-specific research for evidence-based falls prevention programs;
• Require a report on Falls Prevention Initiatives in the Department;
• 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 falls 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.

“Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. Veterans face unique challenges that increase their risk of falling due to physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, medications, limb loss and traumatic brain injury. However, falling is not an inevitable result of aging. Through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among veterans can be substantially reduced,” said National DAV Legislative Director, Joy Ilem. “DAV thanks Senator King and Rounds for championing the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025, which establishes the Office of Falls Prevention at the Veterans Health Administration and supports research for evidence-based fall prevention programs that will benefit and protect our veterans.”

“The American Physical Therapy Association is grateful to Sens. King and Rounds for their introduction of the bipartisan SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025 in the Senate,” said APTA President Kyle Covington PT, DPT, PhD. “The creation of an Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs will improve coordination, services, and research aimed at preventing our Veterans from encountering dangerous falls. While proactively preventing falls in our Veteran population, this Office will also minimize health care utilization. The legislation also ensures that our Veterans receive access to much needed physical therapy services, avoiding costlier and more intensive interventions.”

As an extension of his longtime focus on prevention efforts, Senator King has been leading the charge in the “Stand Strong” space. He previously introduced a legislative package to encourage proactive home modifications and to increase access to preventative screenings for older Americans to keep them thriving while avoiding costly injuries. The package included the reintroduction of the Preventative Home Visits Act and the WELL Seniors Act to expand Medicare benefits to cover home modifications, ensure the accessibility of telehealth services and include comprehensive screenings during Medicare Annual Wellness Visits.

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