AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined national MH and SUD organizations opposing HR 824. The legislation would allow establishment of Stand-Alone Telehealth Health Plans, not subject to health insurance regulation, including the MHPAEA parity obligations. Such proposed plans could prohibit in-person services. On June 6, the House Education and Workforce Committee “pulled” the legislation […]
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.
Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities – Quality Measures
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined national organizations led by NAMI and MHA asking HHS and CMS to add patient experience of care and health equity quality measures to inpatient psych facilities Medicare and Medicaid payment rules. The June 5 letter is here: PDF. […]
Mental Health and Addiction Insurance “Parity” Expansion to Medicare and Medicaid
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Kennedy Forum led, Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) letter to Senators Bennet (CO) and Wyden (OR) endorsing the Better Mental Health Care for Americans legislation to expand the MHPAEA insurance parity requirements to Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D medications, and Medicaid. The May 23 MHLG letter is […]
Discharge From Inpatient Facilities to Home-Based Settings for Medicaid Participants
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments to and in response to a Lewin Group for CMS framing document – Discharge From Inpatient Facilities to Home-Based Settings for Medicaid Participants. Available here, are the May 23 AAHD-Lakeshore comments and the April 24 Lewin framing document. […]
Power Wheel-Chairs Seat Elevation Systems – Medicare Will Now Pay – (2)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition thanking CMS for its decision for Medicare to cover power wheel-chair seat elevation systems. We previously posted May 18 the ITEM press release and CMS announced decision. The May 19 ITEM thank you letter is here: PDF. […]
Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Services and Supports – Legislation
AAHD, as a member, has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) endorsing legislation to finance efforts to effectively manage bias and disparities in access to and delivery of mental heath care for Black and Brown Youth. The legislation was drafted by the Congressional Black Caucus. The legislation was reintroduced in the current Congress by […]
Family Caregivers: Coalition Commends President’s Executive Order
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined an AARP letter commending the President’s April 18 executive order recognizing, assisting, supporting, and engaging family caregivers. The May 18 letter is here: PDF. […]
Accessible Websites and Software Systems – Federal Government
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 52 disability organizations, led by the American Foundation for the Blind, calling on the federal government to ensure accessible websites and software systems. The May 18 Global Accessibility Awareness Day statement is here: PDF. […]
Power Wheel-Chairs Seat Elevation Systems – Medicare Will Now Pay
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation are members of the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition. Available here are the May 16 ITEM Coalition press release on the CMS announced decision memo, available here: PDF. NCA – Seat Elevation Systems as an Accessory to Power Wheelchairs (Group 3) (CAG-00461N) – Decision Memo (cms.gov) […]
Peer-Supported Mental Health Services – Coalition Appropriations Request
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a DBSA led coalition request to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting funding for the newly authorized SAMHSA peer-supported MH services program. The May 15 letters to the House and Senate are here: House; Senate. […]