Veterans falls prevention bill highlighted in Congressional Hearing
On March 18, 2026, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a legislative hearing in which H.R. 3183, the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act, was one of the bills included in the discussion. The bipartisan bill, led by Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D‑IL), Lois Frankel (D‑FL), Jen Kiggans (R‑VA), Jack Bergman (R‑MI), and Gus Bilirakis (R‑FL), seeks to strengthen falls prevention efforts across the Veterans Health Administration.
During the hearing, Rep. Budzinski stressed how serious falls are for veterans with chronic conditions and service‑connected injuries and highlighted the need for a more coordinated approach across the VA.
“The SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act is a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will help protect older veterans from avoidable and often devastating falls by strengthening falls prevention across the VA. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury for older adults, and veterans often face even greater risks because they’re more likely to live with chronic conditions and service-connected injuries. This bill will establish an Office of Falls Prevention within the Veterans Health Administration—creating a dedicated coordinator to lead these efforts, improved screening for veterans at risk of falling, and better connect home modification programs with evidence-based falls prevention services,” Rep. Budzinski stated.
Fall risk is shaped by mobility, cognition, daily routines, and the home environment. This makes occupational therapy practitioners, who regularly assess these areas, well positioned to support the VA in implementing these improvements and to help veterans make meaningful, safety‑focused changes. OT practitioners’ expertise in home modifications, functional strategies, and self‑management aligns directly with the prevention goals outlined in the bill.
AOTA is encouraged to see H.R. 3183 highlighted during the committee’s hearing and will continue to monitor the bill and advocate for its passage, as well as for policies that ensure veterans receive comprehensive, evidence‑based falls prevention services across VA settings.