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Strikes existing subsection (d) and inserts a new subsection (d) requiring that, for individuals determined by a physician to have fallen or been at risk during the previous one-year period, a licensed physical therapist or licensed occupational therapist conduct a falls risk assessment and provide fall prevention services during the individual's nursing home stay; adds subsection (e) terminating subsection (a) on September 30, 2028.
Adds paragraph (7) to 1710B(a) requiring the conduct of an annual falls risk assessment and the provision of fall prevention services by a licensed physical therapist or licensed occupational therapist.
Adds a new section 7310B to chapter 73, Subchapter I of title 38 establishing the Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration, including location, appointment and reporting of a Chief Officer of Falls Prevention, staffing and reorganization authority, enumerated functions (standards of care, monitoring, oversight, resource distribution, research and education, coordination of home modification programs, and other duties), requirements for a national public education campaign and grant/contract authority for local campaigns, research collaboration with the Office of Research and Development and the National Institute on Aging, establishment of a joint subject matter expert panel, and reporting and pilot program provisions. Also includes a clerical amendment inserting the new section in the chapter table of sections.
Amends section 203(c) of the Older Americans Act (42 U.S.C. 3013(c)) by inserting additional text into paragraph (2) and by inserting additional text into the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of paragraph (7). The specific insertions are not shown in the provided section text.
Creates a new Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration to reduce and prevent falls among veterans and directs the VA to carry out education, research, monitoring, policy updates, pilot programs, and regular reporting. Requires licensed physical therapists or occupational therapists to perform falls-risk assessments and provide fall‑prevention services for veterans in VA nursing homes and certain extended‑care settings, adds an annual assessment requirement for some beneficiaries, and sunsets the assessment requirement on September 30, 2028.
Establish the Office of Falls Prevention in the Veterans Health Administration; the Under Secretary for Health shall establish and operate the Office.
Locate the Office at the Central Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Create the position of Chief Officer of Falls Prevention to head the Office; the Chief Officer reports to the Under Secretary for Health.
Require the Under Secretary for Health to provide the Office with necessary staff and other support to carry out its functions.
Allow the Under Secretary for Health to reorganize existing VHA offices to avoid duplication with the Office’s functions.
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Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced May 5, 2025 by Nikki Budzinski · Last progress May 5, 2025
Committee Hearings Held
Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House