Ten House members have written CMS asking for Medicare intermittent catheter coding reform. This is an initiative of the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition. AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation are ITEM members. The July 9 House letter to CMS is 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.
Recognizing the Roles of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) (HR 2941)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) letter to the House supporting legislation (H.R. 2941) recognizing and supporting the role of DSPs. The July 9 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Family Caregivers – Reducing Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid Red Tape Barriers (S. 3109 and HR 8018)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined an AARP led effort with the Senate endorsing legislation to reduce Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid red tape barriers for family caregivers (S. 3109 and HR 8018). The July 2 AARP led Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers letter to the U.S. Senate is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Drug Price Negotiation – Engagement of People with Disabilities
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Partnership To Improve Patient Care (PIPC) suggesting CMS adoption of predictable, targeted, and specific tactics for engaging patients and people with disabilities in the CMS Medicare Drug Price Negotiation process. The July 2 PIPC letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Coverage of Power Wheelchair Standing Systems
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition requesting CMS to proceed expeditiously with Medicare coverage of power wheelchair standing systems. The June 28 ITEM letter is here: PDF. […]
Geo-Routing of 9-8-8 Mental Health Crisis Calls
AAHD has joined Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) members supporting FCC requirements of geo-routing of 9-8-8 mental health crisis calls. The June 27 MHLG letter to the FCC is here: PDF. […]
NIH-NIMH New Director Search – Advocate Factors for Consideration
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 10 national organizations, led by No Health without Mental Health (NHMH), asking the NIH/NIMH search committee to consider several factors in their work. The June 25 letter is here: PDF. The NHMH letter is fully consistent with the public policy objectives of AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation: Focus […]
Medicare Coverage of Medically Prescribed Bowel Management Products
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition letter to CMS and copying Congressional leaders advocating Medicare coverage of medically prescribed bowel management products. The June 21 letter is here: PDF. […]
Federal Nursing Home Minimum Staffing – Advocates Oppose Legislation Prohibiting Any Staffing Standards
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a few hundred organizations, led by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, opposing legislation would which would repeal CMS final regulations and prohibit CMS from ever issuing nursing home staffing standards. Legislation is HR 7513, S. 3410, HJ Res 139, and S J Res 91. The […]
Finalize Mental Health and Substance Use Insurance Parity Rules – Advocates Request
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 40 members of the MHLG and CWH, led by the Legal Action Center, requesting HHS-DOL-Treasury Dept to finalize – now – Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) final rules. The June 20 letter is here: PDF. […]