AAHD has joined the “I Am Essential” coalition objecting to Administration proposed STLD plans. The April 23 letter to HHS 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.
Promoting Integrated Whole-Person Health, Including Substance Use Disorders, Continued
AAHD has joined the Partnership to Amend 42 CFR Part 2 encouraging Congressional committees to align SUD medical records with HIPAA health record privacy records. The April 23 letters to the Senate HELP and House Energy & Commerce Committees are here: Senate letter; House letter. […]
Increasing Behavioral Health Parity in Health Insurance Coverage
AAHD has joined 90 organizations, led by the Mental Health Liaison Group leaders, asking the Senate HELP Committee to increase the Department of Labor enforcement authority to implement the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The April 23 letter is here: PDF. […]
Supporting Adequate Funding of the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant
AAHD has joined the Friends of the Title V MCH Block Grant requesting adequate federal appropriations for the program. The April 3 letter is here: PDF. […]
CBPP Opposes Encouragement of Medicaid IMDs for Persons with Substance Abuse Disorder
The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) has issued a paper opposing encouragement of Medicaid IMDs (Institutions for Mental Diseases) for the treatment of substance use disorders. CBPP argues that allowing such policy change would result in over-reliance on residential treatments and under-investments in community-based alternatives. The April 17 CBPP paper is here: PDF. […]
Habilitation is an Essential Health Benefit
AAHD has joined the Habilitation Benefits Coalition is challenging the Heritage Foundation argument that habilitation services and devices are not “essential health benefits” under the Affordable Care Act. The April 11 letter is here: PDF. […]
Opposing Weakening the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Legislation (HR 620)
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) writing the U.S. Senate opposing the House ADA weakening legislation (HR 620). The April 12 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Promoting Integrated Whole-Person Health Including Substance Use Disorders – Continued
The Partnership To Amend 42 CRF Part 2, a coalition including AAHD, has written the Senate Committee on Finance, requesting that pending legislation dealing with the opioid crisis, include integrated whole person health records. Available here are the April 11 Partnership letter and a list of the Partnership members with objectives. […]
Medicare Part D – Chronic Illnesses “Protected Classes of Medications”
AAHD has joined the Partnership for Part D Access, encouraging HHS to continue to guarantee Medicare access to medications to treat certain chronic illnesses. The April 9 Partnership letter is here: PDF. […]
SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – and Persons with Disabilities
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) providing comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on proposed SNAP rules. The April 9 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]