AAHD, a National Health Council (NHC) member, has joined NHC member patient advocacy organizations issuing a consensus statement on health equity. The January 26 shared NHC statement 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.
6 U.S. Senators – Improving Care for Persons Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid – RFI Response
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have responded to a six U.S. Senators RFI on persons dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Available here are: (1) the AAHD-Lakeshore submission; (2) the November 22 Senate RFI; and (3) an AAHD summary of the major studies prepared in 2022. […]
Integrating Behavioral Health-General Health-Primary Care – Enacted Into Law
The Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act has authorized and greatly strengthened the federal government’s support for the integration of behavioral health, general health, and primary care. AAHD has worked with a No Health without Mental Health (NHMH) led partnership that includes our colleague Lakeshore Foundation. Available here are the following: (1) NHMH summary of the legislation, […]
Health Care Quality Metrics and Measures – Resource Guide for Aging and Disability
Available here is the December 20 ACL Aging and Disability Business Institute “Health Care Quality Metri cs and Measures” resource guide: PDF. […]
9-8-8 Mental Health Crisis Services and Marginalized Communities and Populations
AAHD has joined a Trust for America’s Health led, core Mental Health Liaison Group members, letter to HHS and SAMHSA on the need to increase 9-8-8 mental health crisis services for marginalized communities and populations; the December 21 letter is here: PDF. […]
Senators Introduce Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Legislation
Senators Markey (MA), Merkley (OR), and Blumenthal (CT) have introduced the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience legislation. The legislation would establish a new CDC grant program. See our October 20 public policy updates for our support of the House legislation. Available here are the December 14 International Transformation Resilience Coalition statement and summary and list […]
Federal Legislation Impacting Persons with Disabilities – End of the Year Advocates Legislative Requests
The task force co-chairs of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) have written Congress with their end of the year legislative requests. On December 1 we posted AAHD joining the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) requesting Congress to pass a full continuum of mental health services. AAHD is a CCD member; the December 6 […]
Streamlining Prior Authorization in Medicare Advantage Plans
The Regulatory Relief Coalition (RRC) applauds the CMS proposed rule to streamline prior authorization in the Medicare Advantage program. AAHD is one of 500 organizations supporting the RRC objectives. Available here are the RRC December 7 press release and list of supporting organizations. […]
CMS RFI on a National Directory of Health Care Providers and Services
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Health response to the CMS RFI on a national directory. The December 6 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Quality Measures – Behavioral Health Gaps
Available here is the December 7 No Health without Mental Health (NHMH) and colleagues submission to the National Quality Forum (NQF) on behavioral health quality measures. The NQF list of 52 proposed health measures and NQF comment questions are here. The NQF December 1 announcement with AAHD high interest measures list is also here. As […]