Bipartisan Support for SAFE Act Grows During National Physical Therapy Month
As the nation marks National Physical Therapy Month, SAFE Act reaches 30+ bipartisan House cosponsors
As National Physical Therapy Month continues to spotlight the important role physical therapy plays for older Americans, APTQI commends the more than 30 cosponsors of the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 7618). Introduced by Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV-01) and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), this bipartisan legislation aims to expand access to fall prevention services for our nation’s older population.
As the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths for adults 65 and older, it is essential our lawmakers take action to protect American seniors from life-threatening falls. If passed, the SAFE Act will allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive a no-cost fall risk assessment from a physical or occupational therapist—the fall prevention experts—as part of their annual wellness benefit.
By integrating fall assessments from a physical or occupational therapist into Medicare wellness visits, the SAFE Act would better provide older adults nationwide with the proactive, preventative care they need to live safely and independently. Since physical therapy is a safe, non-addictive pain management solution, it could also help reduce opioid prescriptions and addiction among older Americans. In a recent study, more than 85% of older adults support the SAFE Act as a way to prevent falls and decrease healthcare costs.
“APTQI is encouraged by the growing lawmaker support for the SAFE Act and thank all the cosponsors for their dedication to ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have access to essential fall prevention services that could prevent painful injuries and avoidable deaths,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI. “This widespread support demonstrates it is time for Congress to act and protect the health, well-being, and independence of our older population.”
Cosponsors of the legislation hail from both parties and across the country, including: Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Buddy Carter (R-GA-01), Donald Davis (D-NC-01), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), David Trone (D-MD-06), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Colin Allred (D-TX-32), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE-At Large), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-08), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD-02), David Kustoff (R-TN-08), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Josh Harder (D-CA-09), Mike Carey (R-OH-15), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-02), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), and Delegate Eleanor Norton (D-DC-At Large).