80 House members have written Congressional leaders to increase support for COVID-19 services and supports in underserved communities. The June 5 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.
Medicare Proposed Nursing Home Payment Rule Would Reduce Availability of Therapies
The Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) steering committee submitted comments to CMS concerned that proposed payment rules would reduce the availability of therapy. AAHD is a CPR member. CPR also calls for a quarterly data collection and reporting on therapy utilization and patient outcomes. The June 9 CPR letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare and Medicaid COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Flexibilities
The National Health Council (NHC) submitted comments to CMS on new and needed Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities. AAHD is a NHC member. The NHC letter emphasizes flexibilities to expand home-based services and supports; telehealth expansions; protect consumers against increased out-of-pocket obligations; and access to affordable health insurance coverage. The June 9 NHC letter is here: […]
Hospital Visit Policies Must Accommodate Persons with Disabilities – HHS OCR Announcement
Resolving complaints against the state of Connecticut, the HHS Office of Civil Rights announced June 9 a policy of nondiscrimination and accommodation in hospital visit policies. Three national disability organizations and CT disabilities organizations brought the complaints. Available here are the June 9 OCR announcement and the June 9 statement of the Arc, CPR, and […]
COVID-19, Nursing Home Protection, Includes Disability Status Data Collection and Reporting
136 members of the US Senate and House wrote HHS and CMS detailing proposed protections of nursing home residents and staff. The letter calls on a COVID-19 data collection and reporting effort that includes disability status. The June 5 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Part D – “Protected Medications Classes” – Costs and Utilization Management
The Medicare Part D program attempts to “protect” from access barriers and high beneficiary out-of-pocket costs six therapeutic medication classes. These are important to many persons with disabilities. Available here are two studies, both funded by pharmaceutical companies – one on per-patient-per-month costs and the other on the impact of “utilization” management. […]
Serving Medicaid Eligible Children with Medically Complex Conditions – Across State Lines
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) submitting comments to CMS on their RFI on serving targeted children across state lines. The June 3 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Providers – Largely Dependent on Medicaid Revenue – Congressional Leaders Ask HHS To Release COVID-19 Relief Funds Promptly
The chairs and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Finance and House Energy and Commerce Committee have written HHS and CMS asking that emergency COVID-19 relief funds be released promptly, to Medicaid providers whose revenue is largely dependent on Medicaid. The June 3 Congressional letter is here: PDF. […]
Better Integration for Persons Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation have submitted responses to the Bipartisan Policy Center white paper policy recommendations to better integrate program requirements, financing, benefits, and service delivery for persons dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Available here are the AAHD-Lakeshore comments and BPC policy recommendations paper. […]
COVID-19: Protecting the Health of Older Adults Legislation
AAHD has joined 40 organizations, led by TFAH, endorsing legislation by 4 House members (Frankel-FL; Bilirakis-FL; Dingell-MI; and Shalala-FL) to target federal resources to the health of older adults during the COVID-19 crisis. Available here are the TFAH fact sheet, listing the 40 organizations; the legislative text; and the press release of lead sponsor Representative […]