Bill > HR9179

This bill, the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2024, aims to establish the Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to monitor and improve healthcare services related to falls prevention for veterans. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Establishing the Office of Falls Prevention within the VA, led by a Chief Officer, to oversee and coordinate falls prevention efforts, develop standards of care, monitor and address deficiencies, and promote research and education on falls prevention. 2. Requiring the VA to issue directives on safe patient handling and mobility policies, including biennial training for providers and access to appropriate technology to enable safe transfer and mobilization for veterans. 3. Directing the VA to determine the feasibility of a pilot program to provide home improvements and structural alterations to prevent falls for eligible veterans. 4. Requiring the VA to report on various falls prevention initiatives, including screening procedures, use of electronic health records, home modification grants, and limitations on current prevention programs, to identify areas for improvement. 5. Amending existing laws to require nursing homes and extended care services within the VA to conduct falls risk assessments and provide fall prevention services for eligible veterans. This bill aims to enhance the VA's focus on falls prevention, improve access to related healthcare services, and promote research and education to better address this important issue for the veteran population.