SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025
- Sponsor
- Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]
- Committees
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 20, 2026
Bottom line
This bill aims to significantly enhance and standardize falls prevention efforts across the VA healthcare system, potentially reducing veteran injuries and healthcare costs through dedicated oversight, research, and mandated services.
What it actually does
This bill establishes an Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to centralize, monitor, and improve falls prevention services for veterans. It mandates new standards of care, research initiatives, and a public education campaign, and requires specific falls risk assessments and prevention services for veterans receiving nursing home or extended care. The bill also expands interagency coordination on healthy aging.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that falls are a leading cause of injury and death among older adults, including veterans, and that a dedicated office and standardized prevention services within the VA are crucial to improve veteran health outcomes, reduce costly hospitalizations, and enhance quality of life. They emphasize the importance of coordinated research, education, and direct interventions.
Opponents contend
No direct opposition is explicitly stated in the bill text. Potential concerns might revolve around the administrative burden of establishing a new office, the cost implications of new mandates without explicit funding, or potential overlap with existing VA programs, though the bill attempts to mitigate this by allowing reorganization.
The bill is relatively short and clearly structured, allowing a diligent reader to understand its core provisions within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 2(a), amending Subchapter I of chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, by inserting new section 7310B.
Establishes the Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration
This provision creates a new Office of Falls Prevention within the VA's Central Office, headed by a Chief Officer who reports to the Under Secretary for Health. The Office is tasked with monitoring, evaluating, and improving falls prevention health care services, developing standards of care, overseeing resource distribution, and promoting related research and education.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a dedicated office is essential to provide focused leadership and coordination for falls prevention, which is currently fragmented. This centralization will lead to more effective strategies and better outcomes for veterans.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that creating a new office adds bureaucratic layers and costs, and that existing VA departments could integrate these functions without a separate entity.
Tradeoffs
Balancing the need for dedicated focus on falls prevention with potential bureaucratic overhead and resource allocation from other VA priorities.
Section 2(a), new section 7310B(c) of title 38, United States Code.
Mandates a National Public Education Campaign and Local Grants
The Chief Officer of Falls Prevention is directed to oversee a national education campaign targeting at-risk veterans, their families, and providers. This campaign will focus on reducing falls and increasing awareness of VA benefits and services related to falls prevention. The Chief Officer will also award grants or contracts to qualified organizations for local education campaigns.
Section 2(a), new section 7310B(d) of title 38, United States Code.
Mandates Joint Research on Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs
The Chief Officer must collaborate with the VA's Office of Research and Development and the National Institute on Aging to develop research for evidence-based falls prevention programs. This includes research on home modification grants, interventions for service-connected disabilities, medication management, polypharmacy, and safe patient handling. A joint subject matter expert panel will be established to develop recommendations.
Section 2(b), amending Section 203(c) of the Older Americans Act of 1965.
Adds Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging
This provision amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as a member of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities. It also adds the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs to the list of committees receiving reports from this body.
Section 2(c).
Mandates Updated Directives for Safe Patient Handling and Mobility
Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must issue or update VA directives on safe patient handling and mobility policies. These directives must require biennial training for all providers in safe patient handling and mobility techniques, ensure medical facilities have appropriate technology for safe transfer, and mandate immediate access to such technology in all emergency settings.
Section 2(d).
Pilot Program on Home Improvements for Falls Prevention
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must determine the feasibility of a pilot program to provide home improvements and structural alterations specifically to prevent falls for all eligible veterans. A report on this determination and plans (or reasons for not proceeding) must be submitted to Congress within one year. If implemented, a report on lessons learned is required after termination.
Section 2(e).
Comprehensive Report on VA Falls Prevention Initiatives
Within two years of enactment (or one year of Chief Officer appointment), the Chief Officer (or Under Secretary for Health) must submit a report to Congress. This report will evaluate VA falls prevention initiatives over the preceding three years, covering screening procedures, EHR documentation, home modification grants, provider types for assessments, home evaluation processes, fall incidence reporting, limitations of current programs, and recommendations for data capture with CDC.
Section 3(a), amending Section 1710A of title 38, United States Code.
Mandates Falls Risk Assessment and Prevention Services in VA Nursing Homes
This provision requires that any individual in a VA nursing home, determined by a physician to have fallen or been at risk of falling in the previous year, must receive a falls risk assessment and fall prevention services from a licensed physical or occupational therapist during their stay. It also sets a sunset date of September 30, 2028, for subsection (a) of 1710A, which addresses general required nursing home care.
Section 3(b), amending Section 1710B(a) of title 38, United States Code.
Mandates Annual Falls Risk Assessment and Prevention Services in VA Extended Care
This provision adds an annual falls risk assessment and the provision of fall prevention services by a licensed physical or occupational therapist as a required component of VA extended care services.
Terminates the general requirement for the Secretary to furnish nursing home care to certain veterans (as specified in subsection (a) of Section 1710A) on September 30, 2028.
Section 3(a), amending Section 1710A(e) of title 38, United States Code.
Why it matters:This appears to be a standard legislative practice for sunsetting specific authorities, often used to force re-evaluation or reauthorization by a certain date. It's not necessarily evasive but requires knowledge of the existing statute.
Case for: Proponents of sunset clauses argue they provide an opportunity for Congress to review the effectiveness and necessity of programs, ensuring accountability and preventing indefinite continuation of potentially outdated or inefficient mandates.
Case against: Critics might argue that sunsetting a fundamental provision for nursing home care creates uncertainty for veterans and the VA, potentially disrupting long-term planning for essential services if not reauthorized in a timely manner.
Estimated impact: This clause could significantly impact the availability of VA-provided nursing home care for eligible veterans after September 30, 2028, if not extended or reauthorized.