AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a coalition promoting the integration of behavioral and general health services and medical records, led by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, letter to HHS/HHS OCR/SAMHSA advocating that individual consent to SUD diagnosis or treatment can be a factor to satisfy the Medicaid community engagement exemption. The […]
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.
Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) – Reconciliation (HR 1) Waiver Expansion
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on LTSS writing CMS for clarification and guidance on the Reconciliation Act (HR 1) Medicaid HCBS expanded waiver authority. The February 6 letter is here: PDF. […]
Behavioral Health-General Health Integration: Status Report on Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model Use
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined Shatterproof, Bowman Family Foundation, and leading mental health organizations releasing a detailed national study of the use of the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model in integrating behavioral health and general health. There are several evidence-based integration models in use. Available here are the February 4 release statement and the […]
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Rules – Protecting Beneficiaries in “Star Ratings” (2)
AAHD is a National Health Council (NHC) member. The NHC has submitted 31 page detailed comments to CMS on proposed Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D rules. The NHC emphasizes effective beneficiary understanding and effective integration of services and supports. AAHD particularly supports and values the detailed observations and ideas on Medicare Advantage “Star Ratings.” […]
Senate Appropriations Vote – Separate HHS and DHS in Funding Package
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined an American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) initiated letter to the U.S. Senate requesting a separation of the DHS from HHS-HUD-other agencies appropriations package. The January 29 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Rules – Protecting Beneficiary Access and Affordability
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) Coalition comments to CMS on protecting beneficiary access and affordability in CMS Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D rules. January 26 letter is here: PDF. […]
Supporting Veterans with Disabilities (HR 6835 and S. 3138)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition supporting two proposed legislation to support veterans with disabilities. HR 6835 – Veterans STAND – spinal trauma access to devices. S. 3138 – Veterans SPORT – prosthetics in physical activity. The ITEM January 27 letters are here: House […]
No Medicare AI Medical Necessity Decisions (HR 5940 and S. 3480)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) supporting legislation (HR 5940 and S. 3480) to protect against the CMS WISeR model use of AI to make Medicare medical necessity decisions. The January 26 CPR letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Primary Care and Bidirectional Behavioral Health Integration – Submission to Congressional Caucus
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined No Health without Mental Health (NHMH) and CSWA-ISPMHN-PCMMH submitting comments to the House GOP Doctor’s Caucus RFI on the MIPS (Medicare provider improvement of quality of patient care and outcomes) program with an emphasis on primary care and bidirectional health integration. Available here is the NHMH submission, as […]
HHS Childhood Vaccine Schedule – Call for Robust Congressional Oversight
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 230 medical and health organizations, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Public Health Association (APHA) calling on Congress to conduct robust Congressional oversight of HHS decisions on the revised childhood vaccine schedule. Available here are the AAP-APHA led January 9 coalition letter, as well […]