AAHD is a National Health Council (NHC) member and the NHC has submitted comments to CMS on proposed Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Guidance. Earlier we posted AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation joining the Medicare Access for Patient Rx (MAPRx) coalition comments. The March 15 NHC 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.
9-8-8 Crisis Service Calls– Geocoding Routing
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a NAMI led letter to HHS and FCC asking that 9-8-8 crisis calls use geocoding routing. The March 20 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan Guidance
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Medicare Access for Patient Rx (MAPRx) coalition submitting comments to CMS on the proposed Medicare prescription payment plan guidance. The comments focus on Medicare beneficiary education, accessible and understandable information, notifications, and outreach. The March 15 letter is here: PDF. […]
Persons Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid – Legislation Requiring States To Develop Integrated Health Plans
Six U.S. Senators, led by Bill Cassidy, M.D. (LA) with Senators Carper (DE), Cornyn (TX), Warner (VA), Scott (SC), and Menendez (NJ) have introduced legislation to require states to develop integrated care plans for persons dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. This is a tremendous initiative with serious study and thinking. AAHD and the Lakeshore […]
Follow-up After Hospitalization for Mental Illness – Quality Measure Accountability
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined organizations of the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG), led by Mental Health America (MHA), and submitted AAHD-Lakeshore reinforcing comments to NCQA on proposed changes to the HEDIS measures on follow-up services after hospitalization and after emergency department use for mental illness. RE: National Committee for Quality Assurance; Healthcare […]
Promoting Continued Medicaid Coverage (COVID “Unwinding”)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a Community Catalyst and UNIDOS US led coalition effort suggesting steps that CMS could take to promote continued Medicaid coverage during the “unwinding” process. The March 12 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Coverage of Standing Systems in Power Wheelchairs
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition again requesting CMS to open a national coverage analysis of standing systems in power wheelchairs. The March 8 ITEM letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Kidney Dialysis Treatment – H.R. 6860
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on Health, letter of support of restoring Medicare kidney dialysis treatment (HR 6860). The March 7 letter is here: PDF. […]
Community Health Workers Access Act – Senate Introduction
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 202 organizations, led by the NACHW and Partners in Health-US, supporting Senator Bob Casey (PA) legislation enhancing the recognition and support of community health workers. Available here are: Sen Casey one page overview; Sen Casey March 7 statement; the legislative text; and a list of the 202 organizations […]
Medicare Part D Medications: Affordable Access, Transparency, Utilization Management (2)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) Coalition letter to CMS on Medicare Part D payment and rate issues. The letter advocates exclusion of charitable donations of medication co-pays and advocates guardrails, transparency, and disclosure in the use of utilization management in both Part D and Medicare Advantage. […]