The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition steering committee has wriiten CMS suggesting Medicare coverage of technology supports for persons with disabilities, such as DME enhancements. AAHD is an ITEM Coalition member. The April 16 letter 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.
Strengthening Vaccines for Children – HR 2347
AAHD has joined an American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) led coalition support for strengthening children’s vaccine legislation (H.R. 2347). The April 16 letter is here: PDF. […]
QALYs – Reject Health Policies That Discriminate – Coalition Statement
AAHD has joined a Partnership To Improve Patient Care (PIPC) led coalition statement, supporting concerns stated by the National Council on Disability, opposing use of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) as discriminatory against persons with disabilities and persons with chronic health conditions. The April 14 statement is here: PDF. […]
Advancing NIH Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
AAHD has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) submitting ideas to NIH on diversity and inclusion in biomedical research. The April 12 DRRC comments are here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Maintenance of Effort Rule – Health Community Advocates Rescinding the October 28 Rule
On October 28, 2020, the previous Administration announced an “interim final rule” governing Medicaid maintenance of effort (MOE) to reduce beneficiary protections. AAHD joined 162 organizations, led by the National Health Law Program and Justice in Aging, asking CMS to rescind this rule. The April 6 letter is here: PDF. […]
Allocation and Accessibility of COVID-19 Vaccines for Persons with Disabilities
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in writing the HHS Office of Civil Rights on Vaccine issues and persons with disabilities. The April 8 letter is here: PDF. […]
CDC’s Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) – Program Funding
AAHD has joined 191 organizations, led by the TFAH, advocating to Congress for funding the new CDC NCCDPHP SDOH program. The April 8 letter is here: PDF. […]
ACA Essential Health Benefits – Habilitation Services and Devices
AAHD has joined the Habilitation Benefits Coalition reviewing with HHS the Affordable Care Act (ACA) essential health benefits, including habilitation services and devices. The April 6 letter is here: PDF. […]
CDC REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches To Community Health) – Program Funding
AAHD has joined 190 organizations, led by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), asking Congress for annual CDC REACH program funding. The April 5 letter is here: PDF. […]
President’s American Jobs Plan Includes $400 Billion in Medicaid HCBS (Home-and-Community-Based Services) Infrastructure
Available here are the following: An excerpt from the President’s American Jobs Plan White House March 31 fact sheet Justice in Aging April 2 announcement Washington Post April 2 article on the proposed Medicaid home and HCBS infrastructure investment […]