AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) Coalition, which includes EFA, NAMI, and the National Health Council, requesting CMS to strengthen the existing Medicare Part D medications program rather than launch a new medications program that does not contain existing and needed patient access protections. The February 23 […]
Policy Updates
The American Association on Health and Disability plays an important role in disability policy and advocacy at the national level. AAHD strives to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities receive attention and respect on the national legislative agenda. AAHD is involved in numerous disability coalitions and networks that address the needs of people with disabilities. Please visit the Policy site to learn more about our activities in this area. AAHD staff maintain an active role in Washington, DC to ensure that health promotion and wellness for people with disabilities is on the disability and healthcare agenda. AAHD staff have positions on the APHA, Disability Section, Executive Council; the CDC, NCBDDD, Executive Committee; Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities-CCD and serve on the National Health Council; Coalition for Health Funding; Disability Rehabilitation and Research Coaltion; Coalition for Whole Health, Patient Care Primary Care Collaborative; and other coalitions advocating for policy that works towards reducing health disparities between people with disabilities and the general population and reducing the incidence of secondary conditions in children and adults with disabilities.
No Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) Methodologies in Proposed CMS Medicare Medication Cost Models
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 119 organizations, led by the Partnership To Improve Patient Care (PIPC), advocating no use of the QALY (Quality-Adjusted Life Years) methodologies in two proposed CMS Medicare Medication Cost Models – GUARD and GLOBE. Available here are the two February 23 PIPC letters to CMS on GUARD and GLOBE […]
Opposing CMS Rescission of Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 93 organizations, led by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, opposing CMS rescission of the nursing home minimum staffing rule. 18 States Attorney Generals have written CMS announcing their opposition to rescission of the rule. 7 U.S. Senators have introduced legislation to legislatively re-establish nursing home […]
Medicaid Reconciliation Law (HR 1): Work and Community Engagement Requirements – SUD and MH Exemptions
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Coalition for Whole Health, led by the Legal Action Center, writing CMS on mental health and substance use disorder exemptions for the Medicaid work and community engagement requirements. The February 9 letter is here: PDF. […]
CMS Announces Updated Core Quality Measures Collaborative (CQMC) Measure Set
CMS announced the updated Core Quality Measures Collaborative (CQMC) measure set. CMS substantially finances the CQMC, a public private partnership convened by AHIP and CMS, with technical staff provided by HHS and CMS funded Battelle Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM). CQMC is predominantly a health plan, health payer, and medical societies partnership with patient and […]
Medicaid Reconciliation Law (HR 1): Work and Community Engagement Requirements – SUD Payment Consent To Facilitate Exemption
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a coalition promoting the integration of behavioral and general health services and medical records, led by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, letter to HHS/HHS OCR/SAMHSA advocating that individual consent to SUD diagnosis or treatment can be a factor to satisfy the Medicaid community engagement exemption. The […]
Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) – Reconciliation (HR 1) Waiver Expansion
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on LTSS writing CMS for clarification and guidance on the Reconciliation Act (HR 1) Medicaid HCBS expanded waiver authority. The February 6 letter is here: PDF. […]
Behavioral Health-General Health Integration: Status Report on Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model Use
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined Shatterproof, Bowman Family Foundation, and leading mental health organizations releasing a detailed national study of the use of the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model in integrating behavioral health and general health. There are several evidence-based integration models in use. Available here are the February 4 release statement and the […]
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Rules – Protecting Beneficiaries in “Star Ratings” (2)
AAHD is a National Health Council (NHC) member. The NHC has submitted 31 page detailed comments to CMS on proposed Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D rules. The NHC emphasizes effective beneficiary understanding and effective integration of services and supports. AAHD particularly supports and values the detailed observations and ideas on Medicare Advantage “Star Ratings.” […]
Senate Appropriations Vote – Separate HHS and DHS in Funding Package
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined an American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) initiated letter to the U.S. Senate requesting a separation of the DHS from HHS-HUD-other agencies appropriations package. The January 29 letter is here: PDF. […]