S. 2833: Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act

The Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act aims to enhance efforts to prevent falls among older adults by amending the Older Americans Act of 1965. It establishes an Advisory Committee on Falls Prevention under the Administration on Aging, which will guide the development and implementation of a national plan to reduce falls and related injuries.

Key Provisions

• Creation of an Advisory Committee: The act establishes an Advisory Committee to monitor and support falls prevention initiatives, reporting to the Assistant Secretary for Health. This committee will consist of representatives from various federal agencies and experts from beyond the government.
• Committee Responsibilities: The Committee's duties include:
• Advising on the creation of a national plan for falls prevention.
• Assessing federal falls prevention programs and their effectiveness.
• Making recommendations for priority actions based on assessment findings.
• Member Composition: The Committee will include federal agency representatives (such as from the CDC and NIH) and non-federal experts, including healthcare providers and researchers knowledgeable about falls prevention.
• Reporting and Evaluation: The Committee will provide an initial report to Congress within a year of its initial appointments, evaluating current falls prevention programs and suggesting improvements. Subsequent reports will follow every four years.
• Potential Medicare Changes: A key element of the act involves recommending pilot programs to provide coverage for home modifications aimed at falls prevention for Medicare beneficiaries, which may impact how falls prevention services are integrated into healthcare plans.
• Funding and Support: The act authorizes appropriations necessary for falls prevention activities from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and allows the Assistant Secretary to utilize existing funds for these initiatives.

Definition of Falls Prevention

For the purposes of this act, "falls prevention" is defined as strategies aimed at reducing risk factors for falls, preventing repeat falls among individuals, and minimizing injuries when falls do occur.

Goals

The overarching aim of the Stand Strong Falls Prevention Act is to enhance the safety and well-being of older adults by reducing the incidence and impact of falls, which can lead to significant health complications and financial burdens on healthcare systems.

Relevant Companies

• None found