Supporting the SAFE Act
Dear Editor:
As a physical therapist treating patients in Kissimmee, I see the harmful effects falls have on our nation’s older population every day —from prolonged pain to hospitalizations, even death. And, with the annual number of falls among older Americans projected to rise to 52 million by 2030, something must be done.
As an area director for Ability Rehabilitation, I welcomed Congressman Darren Soto to our clinic to learn about the value of physical and occupational therapy services in our community. During his visit, we discussed legislation that, if passed, would enhance access to preventative physical therapy services for millions of older adults across the country. The bipartisan Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 7618) is currently being considered in the U.S. House and would help protect our seniors by ensuring access to a falls risk assessment from a physical or occupational therapist for Medicare beneficiaries at no out-of-pocket cost as part of their Medicare wellness benefit.
The SAFE Act aims to ensure more older Americans receive a fall risk assessment from a falls expert to prevent avoidable accidents, injuries, and hospitalizations.
Physical therapy has the power to help protect some of the most vulnerable patients in our healthcare system and it is time for Congress to help us in doing so.
Jose Villasana
Kissimmee
