AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have endorsed Senator Casey (PA) and 19 Senate co-sponsors introducing legislation to expand funding for the Medicaid HCBS (Home-and-Community-Based Services) program – the HCBS Relief Act (S. 3118). Available here are Senator’s Casey’s one page overview, which includes endorsing organizations, and the legislative text: 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.
Alleviating Barriers for Family Caregivers – Senate Legislation
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined Senators Markey (MA) and Capito (WV) and a coalition led by AARP, supporting legislation to remove barriers to family caregiving. Other Senators co-sponsoring the legislation are Sinema (AZ), Collins (ME), Casey (PA), and Tillis (NC). Legislative text is here: PDF. The Senators Markey-Capito press release listing organizational sponsors […]
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) – Rental Subsidy Disregard
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) comments to the Social Security Administration (SSA) supporting proposed rules to expand the rental subsidy disregard for SSI applicants and recipients. The October 22 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Nursing Homes – CMS Proposed Minimum Staffing Standards – AAHD and Lakeshore Support
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments to CMS on proposed minimum nursing home staffing standards. Our comments are very condensed comments drafted by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, Justice in Aging, and some of their colleague organizations. The October 23 AAHD-Lakeshore letter is here: PDF. […]
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) – Disability Coalition (5)
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Health members submitting comments on the Administration’s proposed health insurance MHPAEA rules. We previously posted our joining a Legal Action Center led substance use coalition, a Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), a NASMHPD letter, and a NAMI comment portal. The October 16 […]
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) – Substance Use Disorder Coalition (4)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a Legal Action Center (LAC) for members of the Coalition for Whole Health (CWH) submitting comments on the Administration’s proposed health insurance MHPAEA rules. We previously posted our joining a Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), a NASMHPD letter, and a NAMI comment portal. The October 16 LAC letter […]
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) – National Mental Health Coalition (3)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) submitting comments on the Administration’s proposed health insurance MHPAEA rules. We previously posted our joining a NASMHPD letter and a NAMI comment portal. The October 17 MHLG letter is here: PDF. […]
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) – Mental Health Focus (2)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) letter, with NAMI and eight national organizations, submitting comments on the Administration’s proposed health insurance MHPAEA rules. The NASMHPD letter focuses on provider networks and crisis services and state funds use when health plans discriminate. See September 7 […]
NIH/NIMHD Designates People with Disabilities as a Health Disparity Population (5)
The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) issued an October 12 statement on the NIH/NIHMD announced disability as a health disparity population. AAHD is a DRRC member. We posted announcements and statements on September 28, 26, 12, and August 3. Available here are the DRRC statement and NIH NIHMD Oct 11 letter. […]
Quality Measures and Persons with Disabilities – Connections
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation presented an overview of three federal policy issues and their connection to quality measures at the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Consumer Advisory Council. AAHD is a CAC member. The October 10 presentation outline is here: PDF. […]