Available here are the December 20 & 21 statements on the Congressional 10 year PCORI reauthorization: statements by PCORI and the Friends of PCORI (AAHD is a member of the Friends). […]
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 Disability Benefit Expansion – Power Wheelchairs, Complex Rehab Technology, Pressure Wound Tx
AAHD has joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition asking for Medicare benefits expansions. The December 16 letter to the House of Representatives and 3 fact sheets on power wheelchairs, complex rehab tech, and pressure wound treatment are here: […]
Medicaid Money Follows the Person Reauthorization
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC) requesting Congress to insert the reauthorization of the Medicaid Money Follows the Person (MFP) and Medicaid HCBS Spousal Impoverishment Protections to the Prescription Drug Pricing legislation. The December 15 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Beneficiary Protections Legislation
AAHD has joined a coalition, led by the National Council on Aging, requesting that Congress add four Medicare beneficiary protections in the end-of-year Congressional health “extenders” legislation. The December 16 letter is here: PDF. […]
Increasing Recognition of Persons with Co-Occurring ID/DD/and Mental Illness
There is increasing recognition of co-occurring ID/DD/MI. Available here are 6 resources: SAMHSA report The Arc report CQL Personal Outcomes Measures (POM) website posting HSRI National Core Indicators (NCI) data brief NCBH special interest group launch ACL funded MH & DD national training center […]
Public Health Infrastructure and Data Modernization Legislation (HR 5321)
A proposal supported by AAHD to update the US public health infrastructure has been introduced in the House (HR 5321). Components of this proposal on public health data modernization are currently included in House and Senate committee legislation to lower health care costs. Available here is an endorsement letter by sister national public health organizations […]
Medical Expense Deduction – Federal Income Tax (HR 2073 and S. 110)
AAHD has a joined a coalition led by AARP supporting making the federal income tax medical expense deduction permanent. The December 4 letters to the House and Senate are here: House letter; Senate letter. […]
Non-Invasive Ventilators – Legislation (HR 4945)
AAHD has joined the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition supporting legislation increasing access to ventilators. The December 2 letter is here: PDF. […]
Legislation Enhancing Access to Medicare Medications – (2) – Senate Version
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Health, writing the Senate Committee on Finance on prescription medication pricing with an emphasis on access to Medicare medications). AAHD is a CCD Health Task Force member. The November 27 letter is here: PDF. […]
Behavioral Health Coverage in Health Insurance
The national health evaluation and consulting firm, Milliman, has released a new national analysis of behavioral health coverage in health insurance. Available here are the November 19 report, and a November 20 letter from former U.S. Representatives Patrick Kennedy and Jim Ramstad and the CEOs of MHA & NAMI requesting renewed Congressional examination. […]