AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) and Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid Coalition (ITEM) submitting joint comments to the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division on ADA Title II accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment. The February 12 comments are 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.
Disability Questions – Census Bureau/American Community Survey – No Change Now; More Public Comment
On February 6, the Census Bureau announced they will not make changes to the ACS disability questions at this time, and will seek additional public comments this spring. This is after receipt of 12,000 comments. AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation joined five coalitions in objecting to the proposed changes. The latest web posting that links […]
160 Organizations – Enact Community Mental Health and Resilience Act – Now – HR 3073 and S 1452
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the International Transformational Resilience Coalition asking Congress to establish a new federal program. The February 6 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Supporting the Prohibition of QALYs (Quality-Adjusted Life Years) in Federal Programs (HR 485)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Partnership To Improve Patient Care (PIPC) and Patients Rising led over 100 patient advocacy organizations supporting legislation to prohibit the use of QALYs in federal programs. We also oppose the House effort to finance the patient protections with reprograming the PPHF (see earlier web posting). Available here […]
Opposing House Proposal to Slash Funding of the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a TFAH led, public health community letter opposing a House leadership proposal to slash funding of the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF), to be used as a cost offset for HR 485, a patient protection bill to prohibit the use of QALYs (Quality Adjusted Life Years). AAHD […]
MH/SU Peer Support Specialists – House Legislation Introduced
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined members of the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) supporting legislation recognizing and enhancing the role of peer support specialists. The House sponsors are Reps Salinas (OR) and Mann (KS). We posted the Senate legislation by Senators Kaine (VA) and Braun (IN) on September 7: Recognizing/Elevating the Role of […]
Legislation To Restore Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefit Value
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have endorsed the reintroduction of the SSI Restoration Act, a bill to update the asset and disregard limits and increase benefit amounts and program responsiveness. Available here are: (1)a one page fact sheet; (2) list of 100 endorsing organizations; and (3) social media tool kit. The lead sponsor is Rep […]
New Social Security Commissioner – Disability Transition Issues
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Social Security letter identifying disability issues that should be addressed in transition as the new Social Security Commissioner takes office. The January 18 CCD letter to SSA is here: PDF. […]
ACA Essential Health Benefits (EHBs) – Dental Coverage– Proposed Rules (3)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Health submitted comments to CMS on proposed Affordable Care Act (ACA) EHB rules, focusing on dental benefits. We previously posted our joining Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) and Habilitation Benefits Coalition (HAB) comments, and, the National Health Council […]
Stand-Alone Telehealth Plans – Exempt From Regulation Including MHPAEA (HR 824) – Oppose
AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation have joined an Eating Disorders Coalition led, through the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), opposition to HR 824 which would establish stand-alone telehealth plans exempt from insurance regulation, including Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The January 22 MHLG groups letter is here: PDF. […]