AAHD has joined a coalition led by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, calling for a federal commission to develop a comprehensive national plan to defeat the Long COVID-19 “PASC” Crisis. The May 6 statement 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 Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act (3)
Available here are the April 30 comments of the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) on the Congressional draft HCBS access legislation. The draft legislation and Congressional request were posted on this public policy updates web page on March 18 and the AAHD-Lakeshore submitted comments and submitted comments of two aging and disability coalitions were […]
Federal Study and Encouragement of Assistive Technology – HR 2461 and S. 1089 (2)
AAHD has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) supporting proposed legislation (HR 2461 and S. 1089) supporting the use of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. We previously posted similar letters by the ITEM Coalition. The May 5 letters are here: Senate letter; House letter. […]
Funding Federal Assistive Technology Programs
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) advocating appropriations funding for HHS assistive technology programs. The May 4 CCD letters to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are here: House Letter; Senate Letter. […]
Biden Proposed American Families Plan – National Health Council Statement
AAHD is a National Health Council (NHC) member. Available here is the April 28 NHC statement on the Biden proposed American Families Plan: PDF. […]
Recognizing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) – US Dept of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on LTSS, asking Congress to recognize the important role of DSPs, including regular data collection by the DOL/BLS. The April 28 letter is here: PDF. […]
Federal Study and Encouragement of Assistive Technology – HR 2461 and S. 1089
AAHD has joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition supporting proposed legislation (HR 2461 and S. 1089) supporting the use of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. The April 30 letters are here: Letter for S. 1089; Letter for HR 2461. […]
CDC Public Health Data Modernization Initiative
AAHD joined a coalition encouraging the House and Senate Appropriations committees to adequately fund the CDC PH data modernization initiative. The April 27 letter is here: PDF. […]
Habilitation Services and Supports as ACA Essential Health Benefits
AAHD has joined the Habilitation Benefits (HAB) Coalition issuing a 2021 toolkit for states as they consider designing and regulating Affordable Care Act (ACA) “essential health benefits.” The toolkit is here: PDF […]
Consumer Assistance Programs (CAPs) in Health Coverage – Congressional Funding
AAHD has joined 113 organizations, led by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and FUSA, requesting Congressional funding of the previously authorized CAPs. Page 3, Footnote 6, explains the distinction of the CAPs and the ACA Navigators programs. The April 26 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]