AAHD, members of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and the Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC), has joined the joint CCD-DAC March 18 letter of thank you to Congress for the Medicaid HCBS provisions; the 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.
Funding for the CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
AAHD has joined the Friends of NCHS requesting Congressional funding; the March 29 request is here: PDF. […]
Funding of the Title V Maternal and Child Health Program
AAHD has joined an AMCHP led request to Congress on funding the MCH Block Grant. The March 24 letter is here: PDF. […]
Prioritize Underserved Communities in COVID American Rescue Plan Act Funding
AAHD has joined a Trust for America’s Health led letter to HHS and CDC asking that COVID American Rescue Plan Act funding prioritize communities of color and other disproportionately underserved communities. The March 24 letter is here: PDF. […]
Rural Behavioral Health Telehealth – Medicare Reimbursement for Critical Access Hospitals
AAHD has joined the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) led endorsement of legislation authorizing Medicare reimbursement of Critical Care Hospitals provision of behavioral health telehealth services. The legislation will be introduced March 25 by Representatives Kildee (MI) and Wenstrop (OH) with a NRHA press release. Available here is the March 18 fact sheet supporting the […]
Medical Nutrition Therapy as a Medicare Part B Service (HR 1551 and S. 584)
AAHD has joined an Eating Disorders Coalition led effort endorsing legislation by Senators Hassan (NH) and Murkowski (AK) (S. 584) and Representatives Chu (CA), Walorski (IN), and Rochester (DE) (HR 1551) authorizing medical nutrition therapy as a Medicare Part B service. The March 17 letter of support is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) – Congress Seeks Stakeholder Ideas – By April 26
U.S. Senators Hassan (NH), Casey (PA) and Brown (OH) and Representative Dingell (MI) have released the discussion draft legislative text of the Medicaid HCBS Access Act. Deadline for public comment is April 26. The March 16 memo to stakeholders and the draft leg text are available here. […]
Final Congressional Passage of the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act – (3) – Behavioral Health Expansions
Available here are American Rescue Plan Act summaries by NCBH and DASADAD. […]
Final Congressional Passage of the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act – (2) – ACA and Health Insurance Coverage
AAHD NDNRC summaries of the American Rescue Plan Act Affordable Care Act (ACA) and related health insurance coverage provisions: PDF. It is also available here: https://nationaldisabilitynavigator.org/2021/03/12/march-12-2021 […]
Medicaid Waivers – Work Requirements – HHS Report
Available here is the March 11 HHS ASPE report on Medicaid waivers with a focus on work requirements (a review of the evidence): PDF. […]