119th CONGRESS 1st Session |
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain fall prevention items under the Medicare program.
September 23, 2025
Mr. Magaziner introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain fall prevention items under the Medicare program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “Stand Strong for Medicare Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. Providing coverage for certain fall prevention items under the Medicare program.
(1) COVERAGE.—Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended—
(i) by striking “and wheelchairs” and inserting “wheelchairs”; and
(ii) by inserting “, and fall prevention items (as defined in subsection (nnn))” after “may prescribe)”; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
“(nnn) Fall prevention items.—The term ‘fall prevention items’ includes grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs, bed rails, and such other items or categories of items as the Secretary may specify.”.
(2) EXCLUSION MODIFICATION.—Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1)) is amended—
(A) in subparagraph (O), by striking “and” at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (P), by striking the semicolon and inserting “, and”; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(Q) in the case of fall prevention items (as defined in section 1861(nnn)), which are not furnished pursuant to an order of a physician or practitioner (as described in section 1842(b)(18)(C));”.
(b) Exemption from sequestration.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, payments for fall prevention items (as defined in section 1861(nnn) of the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (a)) under the Medicare program shall not be subject to any reduction under a sequestration issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, or any other provision law.
(c) Effective date.—The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply beginning 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.