AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition letter to CMS on Medicare coverage of DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies) which are and are not “breakthrough” technologies. The August 28 ITEM 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.
Disability as a Recognized Health Disparity Population in NIH Research
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) requesting NIH NIMHD and AHRQ to recognize and implement the December 9, 2022 Advisory Committee Workgroup on Diversity to the NIH Director recommendation that people with disability be a health disparity population for NIH and AHRQ research. The August 2 DRRC […]
Reinforcing Parental Consent When Medicaid Helps to Fund IDEA Services and Supports
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Forces on Education and Health co-chairs comment letter to/on Department of Education proposed IDEA rules. CCD reinforces, and opposes reducing, parental consent when Medicaid helps to fund IDEA services and supports. The August 1 CCD letter to ED (cc HHS […]
Disability Community Support for Prohibiting the Use of QALYs (HR 485)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) support for HR 485, legislation to prohibit the use of QALYs (Quality-Adjusted Life Years) in federally funded health programs. Also see our July 6 public policy updates – PIPC letter, including AAHD and Lakeshore, to ICER on not using QALYs. The July 13 […]
Enhancing the Implementation of 9-8-8 Crisis Services
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined many Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) members supporting legislation by Representative Cardenas (CA) enhancing the implementation of 9-8-8 Crisis Services. The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Fitzpatrick (PA), Blunt-Rochester (DE), Moulton (MA), Napolitano (CA), Matsui (CA), Raskin (MD), and Beyer (VA). Available here isRep Cardenas July 25 press […]
Rehabilitation and Disability Research – Need for Adequate Federal Funding
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) letter to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee objecting to the House leadership proposed severe appropriations cuts. The July 25 DRRC letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Unwinding – Disability Community Concerns Shared with HHS-OCR-CMS-ACL
The co-chairs of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) task forces on health and LTSS, have written to HHS-OCR-CMS-ACL expressing concerns and alarm with persons with disabilities losing Medicaid coverage as the public health unwinding occurs. The July 7 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Line – Need for Adequate Federal Funding
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a NAMI led effort with House and Senate appropriators requesting adequate funding of the SAMHSA 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Line program. The July 13 letter is here: PDF. […]
Federal Program Funding Levels – Significant Proposed Reductions and Disability
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Fiscal Policy letter to the House of Representatives leadership expressing alarm at House proposed significant reductions in federal funding, particularly programs serving persons with disabilities. The July 6 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Addressing Social Needs in Health Care Facilities – for CMS as a Quality Measure Set
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation; and, Mental Health America-AAHD-Lakeshore led sixteen national organizations have submitted comments to the Yale Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE) as a CMS contractor on addressing social needs in health care facilities, as a quality measure set. The MHA-AAHD-Lakeshore letter focuses on a missing element authored by the Physicians […]