HSC Commends Representatives Ralph Hall (R-TX) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) for Introduction of Falls Prevention Legislation

On June 14, 2006, Representatives Ralph M. Hall (R-4th TX) and Frank Pallone (D-6th NJ) introduced H.R. 5608, the Keeping Seniors Safe from Falls Act of 2006, in the House of Representatives. The bill addresses the growing public health problem of falls and fall-related injuries among older adults and focuses on preventing the 12,900 senior deaths and 1.8 million senior emergency room visits that occur each year.

HSC commends Representatives Hall and Pallone for their leadership on such an important safety and health issue.

The Keeping Seniors Safe from Falls Act of 2006 will expand research and provide demonstration projects to develop better ways to prevent falls and to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of older falls victims. The legislation requires an evaluation of the effect of falls on Medicare and Medicaid, to look at potentially reducing costs by expanding coverage to include fall-related services. H.R. 5608 also creates a national public education and awareness campaign for older adults and their families, and provides for professional education for health care providers about how to prevent falls in their older adult patients.

Several safety and aging organizations including HSC have been advocating for this legislation on behalf of the Falls Free Coalition, a group of more than 65 national organizations and state coalitions focused on reducing falls and fall-related injuries. The bill incorporates recommendations from Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan, a comprehensive plan of 36 strategies that addresses the challenges and barriers related to a national falls prevention initiative.

To download Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan, and for additional information on falls prevention, log onto www.healthyagingprograms.org , “What’s New.”