AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments to CMS on proposed rules to improve and strengthen both Medicare and Medicaid benefits for persons dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Our March 6 comments are here: PDF.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.
Digital Accessibility Rules Needed Now – Disability Community To Congress and DOJ
AAHD has joined 181 disability organizations requesting the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the United States Congress to develop, issue, and implement rules governing digital accessibility. The effort is led by the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and 3 national associations for the blind. The February 28 letters are here: PDF. […]
Medicaid HCBS – Extending the COVID Public Health Emergency Spending Deadline
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) asking CMS to extend the March 31, 2024 Medicaid home-and-community-based services (HCBS) COVID emergency spending deadline. The February 25 letter is here: PDF. […]
9-8-8 Crisis Response Framework and Lifeline – Legislation Strengthening Implementation
AAHD has joined 56 members of the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) supporting legislation to strengthen the 9-8-8 Crisis Response and Lifeline program, to be launched in July. The February 18 letter to the seven House legislative sponsors, including lead Rep Cardenas (CA), is here: PDF. […]
Delay Tele-mental In-Person Pre-requisite Requirement for Telehealth – HR 4058; S 2061; S 3593
AAHD has joined a Mental Health Liaison Group affiliated organizations coalition asking Congress to include a delay in in-person pre-requisite requirements for using telehealth services. The February 17 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Disability Data Collection, Analysis, and Public Reporting as a Health Equity Response
AAHD has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) submitting testimony statement to the House Committee on Ways and Means on bridging health equity gaps for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The focus of the DRRC statement is disabilities data collection, analysis, and public reporting across all federal programs. The February 17 statement […]
Medicare Coverage as a Health Equity Response
AAHD has joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition submitting testimony statement to the House Committee on Ways and Means on bridging health equity gaps for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The ITEM statement proposes Medicaid policy changes related to wheelchair technology; assistive devices related to low vision and visual […]
Civil Monetary Penalties for Violations of Behavioral Health Parity in Health Insurance
AAHD has joined a Kennedy Forum led effort, facilitated through the Mental Health Liaison Group, letter to Congress supporting the U.S. Department of Labor civil monetary penalties for health plans violating the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The February 15 letter is here: PDF. […]
Disability Community To Congress – Finalize Annual Appropriations
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) letter to Congress requesting their finalization of annual appropriations legislation. The February 14 CCD letter is here: PDF . […]
56 National Advocates – Congress Should Delay CMS Transportation Prior-Authorization Program
AAHD has joined 56 national advocacy organizations asking Congressional appropriations committees to delay a CMS CMMI (Center on Medicare and Medicaid Innovation) Repetitive Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) program. RSNAT fails to provide alternative transportation options to some persons with chronic health conditions. The February 14 advocate letter is here: PDF. […]