APTQI Calls for Further Support of the SAFE Act During National Falls Prevention Awareness Week
Washington, D.C. – The Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI) today urges lawmakers in Congress to support the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 7618) during National Falls Prevention Awareness Week. If passed, the SAFE Act would allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive a no-cost falls risk assessment from a physical or occupational therapist as part of their annual wellness benefit. The SAFE Act aims to ensure older Americans have access to falls risk assessments from falls experts.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. They are a serious and escalating health concern that can lead to prolonged pain, dangerous injury, hospitalization, and even death. They also increase the financial strain on the healthcare system, and annual costs associated with falling are projected to rise to $100 billion a year by 2030, according to the CDC. As the number of falls nationwide increases every year, access to preventative care services and falls risk assessments is more important than ever.
According to a recent survey of older Americans, 87% of older Americans support the SAFE Act, so there is no question that legislators across the country should support—and work to swiftly pass—this legislation. Data also show this legislation would improve access to preventative care for at-risk Americans while also reducing national healthcare spending on falls.
“During National Falls Prevention Awareness Week, APTQI is calling for increased support of the SAFE Act. This bipartisan, common-sense legislation would ensure access to essential preventative care services for some of our nation’s most at-risk patients – our seniors. Whether it is a parent, sibling, friend, neighbor, or community member, everyone is impacted by falls, so it is time for our lawmakers to take action to protect our older population by passing the SAFE Act,” said Nikesh Patel, PT, Executive Director of APTQI.
The SAFE Act continues to gain support in the U.S. House, and APTQI thanks Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV) and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) for introducing this bill.
Additional lawmakers who have cosponsored this legislation to help protect our older population include: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-8), 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) and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large).