WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) are introducing bipartisan legislation to help prevent painful — and costly — household accidents. The Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act would create an Advisory Committee on Falls Prevention within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which would develop a National Falls Prevention Plan to evaluate falls prevention efforts under the federal government and make recommendations for improving federal policies. Under the National Plan, the advisory committee would develop recommendations for how Medicare could develop a falls prevention pilot or demonstration program that would provide coverage of home modifications such as grab bars or staircase handrails as part of a falls prevention Medicare program. Currently, traditional Medicare does not cover or offer reimbursements for such modifications.

On a percentage basis, Maine leads the nation with the largest 65 and older population. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older. 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. According to the CDC, there are roughly 1 million fall-related hospitalizes and 3 million emergency department visits annually across the country due to falls. For example, a fall in a shower or bathtub can result in a hospital stay and medical bills in the thousands of dollars, while an investment in a grab bar would be a few hundred dollars. The senators’ legislation would study the highest frequency household accidents and study the most cost-effective ways to avoid injuries.

“We all know the saying ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ and preventative care is a win-win for Maine patients, families and the taxpayers,” said Senator King. “The bipartisan Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act is a critical step forward in supporting older Maine people and making sure they have the care and dedicated resources at the federal level to thrive. And, not only will this bill create a committee dedicated solely to falls preventing, it will also help to establish home modification pilot programs. Tools like grab bars or handrails can be the difference between a simple installation and an avoidable injury. I am grateful to my friend and colleague Senator Rounds for his continued work to help ensure Americans all the way from Maine to South Dakota stand strong.”

“If we can identify areas to reduce the number of falls among the senior population, we can improve their quality of life,” said Senator Rounds. “At the federal level, this would also mean saving taxpayer dollars in treating those falls. This is a step in the right direction.”

“We all want to live purposeful, healthy, and engaged lives, and yet something as preventable as a fall can completely derail this goal,” said Jess Maurer, Executive Director, Maine Council on Aging. “Most falls are preventable and the reasons for them can be remedied if the right interventions are employed. The Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act is a critically needed next step in developing a sustainable national program to prevent the causes and conditions that lead to falls.”

The Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act is endorsed by AARP, AARP Maine, Alliance for Aging Research, America Public Health Association, American Foundation for the Blind, American Geriatrics Society, American Occupational Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association Geriatrics Academy, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Brain Injury Association of America, Gerontological Society of America, Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, Home Modification Occupational Therapy Alliance, Maine Council on Aging, MaineHealth, Meals on Wheels America, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators, National Center for Healthy Housing, National Council on Aging, National Senior Corps Association, Prevention Institute and the Safe States Alliance

As an extension of his longtime focus on prevention efforts, Senator King has been leading the charge in the “Stand Strong” space. Recently, he 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. Earlier this summer, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation to protect older veterans from avoidable, costly falls.

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