Preventing Falls Among Older Americans

By Montana United States Senator Max Baucus

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare and Medicaid, senior health issues are one of my top priorities. I am committed to protecting and improving these programs to better serve seniors with crippling illnesses like cancer and heart disease. But I believe Congress must also address other health hazards that can be just as devastating as these horrible diseases. One of these hazards is falls by seniors. The costs of falls to our society in terms of personal loss, emotional
suffering, and increased health care costs are enormous. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among older Americans. Indeed, in 1999, 62 Montana seniors died as the result of a fall. And experts predict that by 2020, the direct costs of falls to Medicare and Medicaid will exceed $32 billion. These falls are much more dangerous to seniors in rural states like Montana, where hospitals are few and far between and an injured senior may have to wait for hours before receiving treatment.

That's why I am cosponsoring S. 1922, the Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002. This bipartisan bill would provide needed resources for education, research and demonstration projects designed to reduce the risk of falls among seniors and prevent repeat falls. I hope that Congress will join me in supporting this common sense legislation to protect Americans from the hazards of falls.

If you have any questions or comments about this bill or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me: e-mail me at max@baucus.senate.gov; write me at Max Baucus, 511 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510; or call (202) 224-2651. Montanans call: 1-800-332-6106 (TDD) (202) 224-1998

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