Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)
SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee Hearings Held
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs to monitor and improve health care services relating to falls prevention for veterans. It creates a national public education campaign and funds local education campaigns through grants and contracts to help reduce veteran falls. The legislation directs research partnerships with the National Institute on Aging to develop evidence-based falls prevention programs and medication management recommendations. It mandates new training and technology requirements for health care providers and medical facilities regarding safe patient handling and mobility. Additionally, the bill requires licensed physical or occupational therapists to conduct falls risk assessments and provide prevention services for certain individuals in nursing homes and extended care services. Finally, it requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to report to Congress on various falls prevention initiatives and evaluate the feasibility of a pilot program for home modifications.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directly improves the health, safety, and specialized care provided to the veteran population.
- Scored +7
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill provides critical safety and prevention services that are highly beneficial to older veterans.
- Scored +7
Would retired people be better off under this?
Many veterans are retirees, and the fall prevention measures are highly relevant to this demographic.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 establishes the Office of Falls Prevention to develop standards of care, monitor deficiencies, and oversee the distribution of resources for veteran falls prevention, which can improve health and safety outcomes for veterans.
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Section 2 mandates a national public education campaign and local education grants directed at veterans at risk for falls, their families, and health care providers to increase awareness of available benefits, grants, and devices that help prevent repeat falls.
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Section 2 requires research addressing medication management and polypharmacy as risk factors for falls, leading to recommendations for providers and electronic health records systems to better protect veterans at risk.
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Section 2 requires medical facilities and emergency settings to have immediate access to safe patient handling and mobility technology, and mandates biennial training for providers regarding mobility aids and techniques, which protects both veterans and health care workers from injury.
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Section 3 requires licensed physical or occupational therapists to conduct annual falls risk assessments and provide fall prevention services for individuals receiving nursing home care or extended care services who have fallen or been at risk of falling.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific negative impacts or burdens identified for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill directly improves the health, safety, and specialized care provided to the veteran population. Would retired people be better off under this? — Many veterans are retirees, and the fall prevention measures are highly relevant to this demographic. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill provides critical safety and prevention services that are highly beneficial to older veterans. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill enhances mobility support and safety protocols for veterans with physical limitations.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill establishes a dedicated Office of Falls Prevention to improve safety, research, and clinical standards for veterans. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill mandates research into evidence-based falls prevention programs and medication management.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances veteran benefits through improved safety protocols and specialized falls prevention services.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — By focusing on fall prevention and mobility aids, the bill supports the safety of veterans with disabilities. Does this make housing cost less? — The bill considers a pilot program for home modifications and structural alterations to prevent falls.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates reports to Congress regarding falls prevention initiatives and pilot programs. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority of the VA through the creation of a new specialized office.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds research related to falls prevention and medication management.
- 10/5/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/20/2026
- Committee Hearings Held
- 4/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/18/2026
- Committee Hearings Held
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/5/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida
Jack BergmanRepublican · Michigan
Lois FrankelDemocrat · Florida
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
John MannionDemocrat · New York
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · Michigan
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Mike QuigleyDemocrat · Illinois
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia