AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have 95 organizations, led by AARP, supporting legislation (S. 1565 and HR 138) providing financial relief to family caregivers. The March 10 AARP led letter to Congress is here: PDF. […]
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.
Medicaid HCBS (Home-and-Community-Based Services): Critical Role (and Fraud Attacks)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC), Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), and 153 organizations writing Congress on the critical role played by the Medicaid HCBS program, and responding to attacks of fraud. The March 9 DAC-CCD letter to Congress is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Coverage of FDA Approved Breakthrough Technologies (HR 5343)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition support of legislation (HR 5343) to authorize Medicare coverage of FDA approved breakthrough technologies. The March 9 ITEM letter to Congress is here: PDF. […]
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Updating Program After 5 Decades – Legislation Introduced
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 64 organizations led by members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Social Security and aging advocates updating the SSI program, not substantially and meaningfully updated for 5 decades. The legislation is sponsored by Reps Grijalva (AZ), Schakowsky (IL), Guam Congressional delegate Moylan, Senator […]
Support Person-Centered Outcome Quality Measures in NCQA HEDIS
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have responded to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Healthcare Effectiveness and Data Information Set (HEDIS) proposed person-centered outcome (PCO) quality measures. Available here are the AAHD-Lakeshore March 4 submission and the Feb 13 NCQA HEDIS proposed PCO document. […]
Department of Education Reduction of “Professional Degrees” Student Support– Negative Impact on Rehabilitation Professions
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) objecting to the Dept of Ed proposed reductions in professional degrees eligible for full federal student loans – explaining the negative impact on rehab professions. In addition to the March 2 CPR letter, also available here is a Feb 28 Washington Post […]
AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) – Appropriations Request
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 259 organizations of the Friends of AHRQ, led by Academy Health, requesting Congress to appropriately fund AHRQ. The previous all time high Friends of AHRQ appropriations request was 194 organizations. The March 2 AHRQ Friends request to Congress is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Act – S. 3934 and HR 6199
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 60 organizations led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supporting legislation (S. 3934 and HR 6199) establishing a Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy benefit. Available here are: (1) Academy February 27 statement; (2) November 20, 2025 Academy statement with the 60 organizations; (3) Senators Collins (ME) and Peters […]
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Medications Proposed Rules – Comments
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) Coalition comments to CMS on proposed Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D medication rules. The February 25 MAPRx comments are here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Reconciliation Law (HR 1): Work and Community Engagement Requirements – National Health Council to CMS
AAHD is a National Health Council member. Available here is the February 23 NHC letter to CMS on required Medicaid work and community engagement: PDF. […]