AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) endorsement of legislation to increase implementation transparency in behavioral health parity. Available here is a one page summary of the legislation and the May 21 MHLG letters to Senate and House sponsors. […]
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.
House Increases CDC REACH Program Funding
AAHD has joined a coalition thanking the House Committee on Appropriations for increasing by $16 million (to $71.95 million) the CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. The May 20 letter is here: PDF. […]
Advocating the Reauthorization of PCORI
AAHD has joined the Friends of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute requesting PCORI reauthorization. The May 13 letters to the House and Senate are here: House PDF; Senate PDF. […]
Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation – House Appropriations Requests Delay in Cut
The House Committee on Appropriations has urged the Administration to delay its announced intent to convert the current mandatory NEMT Medicaid benefit to an optional benefit. The Committee responded to a request from a national coalition, including AAHD, opposing the proposed change. Available here are the House Committee report language and the May 7 coalition […]
Adequate Funding for Federal Respite Family Caregiver Programs
AAHD has joined a coalition of national organizations advocating annual funding of respite family caregiver programs. The April 29 letter is here: PDF.PDF […]
Administration for Community Living – Proposed Reorganization and Disability Organizations Initial Reaction
Available here is the May 9 proposed ACL reorganization. Also available is the May 10 letter of the Developmental Disabilities partners network and the blog from the Arc. And, NCIL posted an advocacy blog here: http://www.advocacymonitor.com/information-alert-ila-reorganization-underway/ […]
Sale of Health Insurance Across State Lines – Disability Coalition Comments to CMS, Continued
In response to a CMS request for information, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on Health submitted comments of the sale of health insurance across state lines. AAHD is a CCD member. The May 6 CCD letter here: PDF. […]
Sale of Health Insurance Across State Lines – 2 Disability Coalitions Comment to CMS
In response to a CMS request for information, AAHD has joined two coalitions – Habilitation Benefits Coalition and Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation – sharing comments of the sale of health insurance across state lines: HAB letter and CPR letter. […]
Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation – Community Catalyst Launches Resources Given Threats
As CMS and some states threaten non-emergency medical transportation as a mandatory Medicaid benefit, Community Catalyst has launched a resource center and network. Available here is the CC April 18 webinar slides announcing the resource and a fact sheet on the issue. […]
A Consumer Advocacy Framework for Addressing Social Determinants of Health
AAHD has joined a coalition, led by the National Partnership for Women and Families, in issuing a Consumer Advocacy Framework, including persons with disabilities, for addressing social determinants of health; available here: PDF. […]