AAHD has joined a large coalition, led by the Medicare Rights Center, making Medicare enrollment less complicated. The BENES legislation is included in the House Energy and Commerce Committee “manager’s amendment.” Available here are the July 15 advocates letter and the July 17 House amendment text. […]
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.
Disability Community Support for Stronger Medicaid Response to COVID-19 (S. 4108)
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) task forces on health and LTSS have endorsed a Senate proposal (S. 4108) to strengthen Medicaid in response to COVID-19. AAHD is an active CCD health and LTSS member. The July 13 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Enact Improving Social Determinants of Health Now (HR 6561)
AAHD has joined 89 organizations, led by TFAH, asking Congress to include Improving SDOH in the next COVID-19 legislative package. The Improving SDOH Act is HR 6561. The July 15 letter is here: PDF. […]
Evaluating Disparities & Outcomes in Telehealth – Includes “Disability Status” – HR 7078
AAHD has joined largely organizations affiliated with the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) endorsing Rep Robin Kelly (IL) legislation (HR 7078) which would require evaluation of disparities and outcomes, including persons with disabilities, in telehealth delivery. The July 15 letter is here: PDF. […]
Advocates Oppose CMS Further Delay of Medicaid HCBS Settings Rule
Leading national disability advocates oppose the CMS delay in implementing the Medicaid home-and-community-based services (HCBS) “settings” timeline. Available here are the July 14 CMS announcement and the July 14 advocates statement. […]
Medicaid FMAP – Senate Bill S. 4108 and Disability Community Support for Increases During COVID-19
A number of Senate Democrats, led by Senator Casey (PA), have introduced legislation (S. 4108) to increase the Medicaid FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) task forces on LTSS & Health co-chairs have endorsed the legislation. AAHD is an active member of both CCD task […]
Medicaid HCBS Funding – Disability Community Providers Senate COVID-19 Request
A collaborative of disability community providers has asked the Senate to increase Medicaid home-and-community-based services (HCBS) funding during the COVID-19 crisis. The July 9 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid FMAP – Governors – Big 7 County & City Associations Push Senate for Increase During COVID-19
The National Governors Association, associations of counties and cities, and leading health organizations have asked the Senate to increase Medicaid FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage) rate during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The July 10 letter is here: PDF. […]
Extending the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (Set To Expire July 25)
AAHD has joined a health and public health network, led by the American Society for Microbiology, asking that the current national COVID-19 public health emergency be extended from the current expiration of July 25 for an additional 90 days. The July 10 letter is here: PDF. […]
Senate COVID-19 Legislative Package – Disability Community Recommendations
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Health, including AAHD, has recommended policies to be included in the next Senate COVID-19 legislative package. The July 6 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]