AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 15 national mental health organizations, led by NAMI, thanking the Administration for finalizing the MHPAEA final rules. The NAMI led statement is here: PDF and the link to the CMS posting of the 536 page Federal Register pre-publication rule is here: Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and […]
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.
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule – AAHD and Lakeshore Submission – Topics of Particular Interest
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments to CMS on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rules. Our comments addressed the following topics/issues: (1) Advanced Primary Care Payments, Including Effective Behavioral Health Integration and LTSS-Primary Care Linkages; (2) ACO Quality Measures (SUD and SDOH); (3) Principal Illness Navigation and Community Health Initiatives – Focus […]
Medicare Part D Medications – Possible Unintended Consequences
AAHD joins as a member the Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) Coalition in advocating for access to affordable Medicare Part D medications using public transparency. As a member of the National Health Council (NHC) we support the voluntary health agency sector/patient advocacy movement advocacy efforts at medication access, affordability, and public transparency. We are […]
Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment – Final DOJ ADA Rules
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation are members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition and the Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR). On February 12, we joined ITEM and CPR submitting comments to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on their proposed ADA rules. Available here are the August 23 ITEM and CPR […]
Emerging Technologies – Medicare Coverage
CMS has announced final Medicare coverage of emerging technologies. AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation are members of the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition. Available here are the August 20, 2024 ITEM summary of the final CMS notice and the August 28, 2023 ITEM submission to CMS. […]
Proposed NIH Restructure – (2) – National Health Council Submission
AAHD is a member of the National Health Council (NHC). See our posting on joining the DRRC submission to the House Energy and Commerce Committee NIH restructure discussion RFI. Available here is the August 16 NHC submission: PDF. […]
Proposed NIH Restructure – Disability and Rehabilitation Research (DRRC) Submission
AAHD has joined Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) members submission to the House Energy and Commerce Committee chair NIH Restructure Framework RFI Discussion. Available here are the August 16 DRRC submission and the June 14 Chair Rep. McMorris-Rogers (WA) framework RFI. […]
Peer Support Specialists (PSS) – DOL/OMB Standard Occupational Classification
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) workgroup on peer support specialists submission to DOL and OMB on Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for PSSs. The August 12 MHLG letter is here: PDF. […]
Direct Support Professionals (DSP) – DOL/OMB Standard Occupational Classification
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined an ANCOR led coalition submission to DOL and OMB on Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) for DSPs. The August 12 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
9-8-8 Crisis Calls – Geocoding Routing – Progress
In response to a March 20 NAMI-led coalition including AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation request to HHS and the FCC, SAMHSA has replied documenting progress in geocoding routing of 9-8-8 Crisis Calls. Available here are the March 20 coalition letterand the July 31 SAMHSA response. […]