H.R.1171 - Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act; SAFE Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1171, also known as the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act (SAFE Act), aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The bill seeks to include physical therapists and occupational therapists as health professionals for Medicare annual wellness visits. This inclusion focuses on providing falls risk assessments and prevention services for individuals identified as having fallen in the previous year.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to expand the scope of Medicare's annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical examinations. It ensures that elderly individuals at risk of falls receive targeted assessments and preventative care from qualified therapists. The bill also mandates reports to Congress on falls experienced by individuals aged 65 and older, providing data for future policy decisions.
Potential Benefits
- Improved access to falls risk assessment and prevention services for elderly Medicare beneficiaries.
- Potential reduction in falls and fall-related injuries among the elderly.
- Enhanced role for physical and occupational therapists in preventive healthcare.
- Data collection on falls to inform future interventions and policies.
- Proactive healthcare approach, potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased costs associated with expanding the scope of Medicare wellness visits.
- Potential administrative burden on healthcare providers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for data collection and reporting.
- Possible overlap or duplication of services if not properly coordinated with primary care physicians.
- The effectiveness of the falls prevention services will depend on the quality and implementation of the programs.
- May not address the underlying social determinants of health that contribute to falls.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to improve the health and well-being of elderly citizens. Specifically, the preamble states the Constitution is intended to "promote the general Welfare". The expansion of Medicare benefits falls under the purview of Congress's power to legislate on matters related to health and social security. There are no apparent conflicts with individual liberties or states' rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).