The Honorable (Your Representative)
U.S. House of Representatives ADDRESS

Dear Representative (Last Name):

I am writing you to request that you cosponsor H.R. 5608, the Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act of 2006, introduced by Ralph M. Hall (R-4th TX) and Frank Pallone (D-6th NJ) on June 14, 2006. This important safety legislation is supported by the Falls Free Coalition Advocacy Workgroup consisting of the National Council on the Aging (NCOA), the Home Safety Council (HSC) and the National Safety Council (NSC).

Falls are the leading cause of injury and death among individuals who are over 65 years of age or older. In 2003, falls among older adults accounted for 12,900 deaths, 1,800,000 emergency department visits, and 421,000 hospitalizations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2000 falls resulted in the greatest lifetime costs among adults ages 65 and older, totaling more than $19 billion. By 2020, the cost of fall injuries is expected to reach more than $43 billion annually. A national approach to reducing falls among older adults, which focuses on the daily life of older adults in residential, institutional, and community settings, is desperately needed.

H.R. 5608 creates a national public education campaign for older adults, their families, and health care providers about how to prevent falls. It expands research and provides demonstration projects to develop better ways to prevent falls and to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of older falls victims. The legislation also requires an evaluation of the effect of falls on Medicare and Medicaid, to look at potentially reducing costs by expanding coverage to include fall-related services.

We respectfully urge you to support this important legislation and cosponsor H.R. 5608 the “Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act of 2006.”

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME TITLE