AAHD has joined the Friends of AHRQ asking Congress to appropriately and effectively fund AHRQ; the March 8 coalition letter 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.
Prohibiting QALYs (Quality-Adjusted Life Years) – House Legislation – HR 485
AAHD has joined 70 organizations, led by the Alliance for Aging and Patients Rising Now, supporting H.R. 485, legislation to prohibit the use of QALYs methodologies in federal programs. The March 7 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Creating and Expanding Mobile Crisis Response Programs – House Legislation
AAHD has endorsed House legislation sponsored by Representatives Adam Smith (WA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) that would create and expand mobile crisis response programs. Available here are: Rep Smith press release; one page overview; legislative text. […]
QALYs (Quality-Adjusted Life Years) – Senate Finance Committee “Growing Concerns”
The 10 Republican members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance have written HHS and CMS expressing “growing concerns” with the use of QALYs. See February 2 previous public policy updates posting on House hearing and legislation and PIPC advocacy including AAHD. Available here is the March 1 Senators letter: PDF. […]
Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) – Legislative Agenda
AAHD is a CCD member and participates in the task forces on health and long-term services and supports (LTSS), as well as supporting the task force on Social Security. On Feb 21, we posted the public health legislative agenda of ASTHO and NACCHO. Available here are the CCD-wide legislative agenda shared with the U.S. Congress, […]
Coordinating and Enhancing the Federal Response to Long COVID (HR 1114)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have endorsed legislation (HR 1114) by Rep Blunt Rochester (DE) that would enhance and coordinate the federal response to Long COVID. Available here are our endorsement communications with Rep Blunt Rochester and the HR 1114 legislative text. […]
Medicare Advantage – Proposed Rules – Comments #4 Posting
Previously posted comments: Feb 14 – AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation. Feb 16 – 4 coalitions that AAHD belongs to. Feb 16 – Behavioral Health comments of NAMI and MHA. Available here: Primary Collaborative (PCC) comments: PDF. […]
Congressional Mental Health Caucus
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) thanking Reps Grace Napolitano (CA) and Chris Stewart (UT) for co-chairing the Congressional Mental Health Caucus. The February 21 MHLG letter is here: PDF. Also available here is the full caucus list as of February 24. […]
Public Health Legislative Agenda – ASTHO and NACCHO
While most of AAHD’s public policy work is focused on issues by the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC), and Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), and related coalitions, AAHD as a public health organization also works with and closely follows sister public health organizations. Available here are the 2023 legislative […]
Medicaid Non-Emergency Transportation – Dialysis Treatment and Diabetes Related Wound Care
Representatives Carter (GA), Bishop (GA), and Cardenas (CA) have written the HHS Secretary requesting removal of inflexible Medicaid limitations to non-emergency transportation for persons dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid requiring dialysis or diabetes-related wound care treatment. If HHS does not act, the Representatives will re-introduce their legislation from September 2022 (HR 8841). AAHD has […]