Angus King (I-ME)
SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025
A bill from an independent · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-247.
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 proposes to amend title 38 of the United States Code to create the Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Office would be led by a Chief Officer of Falls Prevention reporting to the Under Secretary for Health. Key duties include developing standards of care, monitoring deficiencies, and managing a national education campaign for at-risk veterans. The legislation also mandates research into falls prevention, including medication management and home modifications. Additionally, it requires updated training for healthcare providers and establishes a potential pilot program for residential adaptations. Finally, it mandates specific falls risk assessments and prevention services for individuals in nursing homes and extended care.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +9
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill significantly enhances veteran healthcare through mandatory risk assessments, research, and improved safety standards.
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill establishes a dedicated Office of Falls Prevention to improve safety and care standards for older veterans.
- Scored +6
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill mandates specialized risk assessments and prevention services for veterans in nursing homes and extended care.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Safety Through Standards: The establishment of the Office of Falls Prevention allows for the development and implementation of standards of care to decrease the incidence of falls (Section 2(a)(b)(2)).
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Increased Awareness: The Chief Officer will oversee a national education campaign directed at veterans at risk for falls, their families, and healthcare providers to increase awareness of available benefits and services (Section 2(a)(c)(1)).
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Targeted Research: The bill directs research into evidence-based prevention programs, including medication management/polypharmacy and safe patient handling/mobility (Section 2(a)(d)(2)).
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Enhanced Medical Facilities: The bill requires medical facilities to have access to safe patient handling and mobility technology, including immediate access in emergency settings (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Mandatory Risk Assessments in Nursing Homes: For individuals determined to have fallen or be at risk of falling, the Secretary must ensure a licensed physical or occupational therapist conducts a falls risk assessment and provides prevention services (Section 3(a)).
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Extended Care Benefits: The bill adds a requirement for annual falls risk assessments and prevention services by licensed therapists for those receiving extended care services (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Organizational Changes: The Under Secretary for Health has the authority to reorganize existing offices within the Veterans Health Administration to avoid duplication with the new Office (Section 2(a)(5)).
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Uncertainty of Pilot Program: While a pilot program for home improvements and structural alterations is proposed, the Secretary must first determine if it is even feasible or advisable to carry it out (Section 2(d)(1)).
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 significantly enhances veteran healthcare through mandatory risk assessments, research, and improved safety standards. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill establishes a dedicated Office of Falls Prevention to improve safety and care standards for older veterans.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill mandates specialized risk assessments and prevention services for veterans in nursing homes and extended care. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill directs research into evidence-based falls prevention programs, including medication management and safe patient handling.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill establishes a joint subject matter expert panel to drive research on falls prevention and medication management.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill explores the feasibility of a pilot program to provide home improvements and structural alterations to prevent falls.
- 12/10/2025
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-247.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/20/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota