The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) has issued a brief explaining Medicaid MOE and the impact of possible proposed changes. The August 10 brief 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.
Senate Legislation Would Waive Co-Pays for COVID-19 Vaccines
Senator Tina Smith (MN), with the co-sponsorship of Senators Harris (CA) and Bennet (CO), have introduced legislation that would waive insurance co-cays for COVID-19 vaccines. AAHD supports the legislation. Senator Smith’s Aug 11 press release is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Core Quality Measures – Disability and Aging Concerns with Omission of HCBS Measures
AAHD has co-led the submission of comments to CMS vendor Mathematica on proposed Medicaid core quality measures for 2021. 12 national organizations affiliated with the Disability and Aging Collaborative and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities submitted comments to Mathematica. The July 10 Mathematica draft report for public comment and the disability and aging advocates […]
Housing Stability and Persons with Disabilities – COVID-19 Legislative Responses
The co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Housing has issued a statement to the Senate on eviction prevention, housing stability, and persons with disabilities. The August 6 statement is here: PDF. […]
Telehealth – Disability Community Principles
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Health issuing principles for the use of telehealth in insurance programs. The August 7 released statement is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid in the Senate COVID-19 Legislation – Senate Dems on At-Risk Communities
All Senate Dems have written the U.S. Senate emphasizing the need for Medicaid in at-risk communities. The August 5 letter is here: PDF. […]
Including the Health Equity Accountability Act (HEAA) (HR 6637) In COVID-19 Emergency Legislation
The House Tr-Caucus has written Congressional leaders asking that the HEAA be included in the COVID-19 legislation. AAHD is a member of the HEAA coalition and a supporter of the HEAA. Available here are the organizational sign-on letter and April 27 HEAA fact sheet and organizational sign-on letter. […]
Senate COVID-19 Legislation Fails with ADA Rights, Medicaid HCBS, Disability Data Collection
The health, LTSS, and rights Task forces co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) have written the Senate asking that three important items, missing from the Senate leadership COVID-19 package, be included: ADA rights protections, Medicaid home-and-community-based services, and disability data collection. AAHD is active with the CCD health and LTSS task forces. […]
Senate COVID-19 Legislation Fails with Medicaid and Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS)
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) co-chairs have written the Senate reflecting disappointment that the Senate leadership legislation fails to include additional funding for Medicaid or Medicaid HCBS. AAHD is an active member of the CCD LTSS task force. The July 29 CCD LTSS letter is […]
Medicaid Provider Retainer Payments – Disability Service Providers Ask for State Flexibility
The July 30 coalition of national disability community services providers letter to CMS is here: PDF. […]