AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have been working through the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), Peer Support Workgroup, to expand Medicare, Medicaid, Marketplace, and private insurance payment for MH/SU peer services. For example, September 7 web posting – our support of Senators Kaine (VA) and Braun (IN) legislation recognizing the role of peers. Senators Cortez […]
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.
Medicare Low-Income Persons Outreach and Enrollment – Appeal For Continued Funding
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 75 organizations, led by NCOA, asking Congress to continue funding – now – the Medicare low-income persons outreach and enrollment assistance program. The December 14 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Coverage of Medical Nutrition Therapy (S. 3297 and HR 6407)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined nearly 50 organizations, led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and advocated by the Eating Disorders Coalition, supporting legislation (S. 3297 and HR 6407) by Senators Collins (ME) and Kelly (IL) that would authorize Medicare payment for medical nutrition therapy. Available here are the Congress.Gov bill listings; […]
Increasing Medicare and Medicaid Community Health Workers Support
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 202 organizations, led by the NACHW and Partners in Health, asking members of Congress to co-sponsor the Community Health Workers Access Act. Available here are the December 8 letter, and the leg text. […]
Medicare Coverage of FDA Approved “Critical Breakthrough Products”
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition letter to Congress supporting HR 1691, a bill that would authorize a 4 year transitional payment of FDA approved “critical breakthrough products.” The December 12 ITEM Coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Application of Behavioral Health Insurance Parity (MHPAEA) To Medicaid and CHIP (2)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a Legal Action Center led, through the Coalition for Whole Health, comments to CMS on the application of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) to Medicaid and CHIP. Earlier (Nov 28) we posted the Kennedy Forum, through the MHLG, comments that we joined. The LAC […]
NIH Draft Mission Statement – Disability Inclusion
AAHD has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) advocating disability inclusion in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission statement. The November 24 letter is here: PDF. […]
Senate Committee on Finance Reports “Better” Mental Health Care Legislation
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) thanking members of the Senate Committee on Finance for reporting Better Mental Health Care legislation. The November 21 letter summarizes the provisions of MHLG support; available here: PDF. […]
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Updating Flexibility with Past Work; Public Assistance
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Social Security, commenting to/on Social Security Administration (SSA) proposed rules related to SSI and past work, and, SSI and the definition of public assistance household. The two separate November 28 CCD letters are here: Letter 1; Letter 2. […]
Application of Behavioral Health Insurance Parity (MHPAEA) To Medicaid and CHIP
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a Kennedy Forum led, through the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), comments to CMS on the application of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) to Medicaid and CHIP. The November 27 response to CMS’s request for comments is here: PDF. […]