AAHD, as a member, has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) writing the House of Representatives as it prepares to receive Senate Budget Reconciliation legislation. Repeating previously submitted messages to both chambers of Congress – MHLG has requested that Medicaid for people with mental health conditions and substance use disorders be protected – no […]
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.
Prohibiting QALYs in Health Value Metrics – HR 3864
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Partnership To Improve Patient Care (PIPC) supporting legislation that would prohibit the use of QALYs (Quality-Adjusted Life Years) metrics in U.S. government health value assessments. The legislation is HR 3864, by Representatives Cammack (FL) and Hern (OK). Available here are: Reps Cammack and Hern June 12 press […]
Medicare Drug Price Process – Patient Engagement and Nondiscrimination Value Metrics
AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Partnership To Improve Patient Care (PIPC) comments to CMS recommending patient engagement and nondiscrimination value metrics in administering the Medicare Drug Price process. The June 26 letter is here: PDF. […]
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs)– Advocates Appropriations Request
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 37 national organizations, led by the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on DD-Autism-Family Support, requesting continuation of appropriations for UCEDDs. The June 27 letter to Congressional appropriations committees is here: PDF. […]
Protect Medicaid Women’s and Children’s Health – Oppose Reconciliation – To The U.S. Senate
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a coalition led by five national women’s health organizations opposing the Senate Medicaid Reconciliation legislation and requesting protection of women’s and children’s health. The five organizations are: Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention (AWHP), American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA); Healthy Women; The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in […]
Medicare Coverage – Power Wheelchair Standing Systems
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition letter to the CMS Administrator on Medicare coverage of power wheelchair standing systems. The June 26 letter is here: PDF. […]
Protect Medicaid Medically Necessary Rehabilitation and Habilitation Services and Devices – Oppose Reconciliation – To The U.S. Senate
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) and Habilitation Benefits Coalition opposing Senate Medicaid Reconciliation cuts to Rehab and HAB services and devices. The June 24 joint CPR-HAB Coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Protect Medicaid LTSS and HCBS – Oppose Reconciliation – To The U.S. Senate
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 28 national organizations and nearly 100 state and national organizations, led by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care, opposing Senate Medicaid Reconciliation. The letter is focused on long term services and supports (LTSS) including home-and-community-based services (HCBS), and includes support for last year’s CMS final […]
Opposing Department of Energy Announced Rescinding of Section 504 Disability Nondiscrimination Rules
AAHD partner colleague, the Lakeshore Foundation, and the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Rights co-chairs have submitted separate comments to and opposing the Department of Energy announced rescinding Section 504 Disability Nondiscrimination Rules. AAHD is a long-time CCD member. The June 14 Lakeshore and June 16 CCD comments are here: Lakeshore-pdf; […]
Accessibility of Websites and Software Applications – H.R. 3417
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition endorsing H.R. 3417 – accessibility of websites and software applications. The June 13 ITEM letter is here: PDF. […]