AAHD has joined the Medicare Access for Patients Rx Coalition (MAPRx) announcing the 2022 Medicare Part D enrollment guide; available 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.
Adult Vaccines – No Medicare Cost-Sharing – HR 1978 and S. 912
AAHD has joined the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition endorsing legislation (HR 1978 and S. 912) eliminating Medicare cost-sharing for any CDC recommended vaccine. The coalition supports inclusion of the legislation in the Build Back Better initiative. The October 4 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) – Congressional Caucus (2) – Aligning for Health Statement
See September 23 public policy updates posting for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) statement, with the active drafting participation of AAHD, to the Congressional SDOH Caucus RFI. AAHD has endorsed and shared webinars and reports from Aligning for Health. Available here is the September 21 Aligning for Health submitted statement. […]
Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) in Build Back Better – Public Opinion Surveys
Available here is a September 30 National Council on Aging (NCOA) complied list of public opinion surveys on including HCBS in the Build Back Better legislation: PDF. […]
Tax Credit for Family Caregivers (HR 3321) Included in House Build Back Better Legislation
AAHD has joined an AARP led coalition thanking House leaders, House Ways and Means Committee members, and Rep Linda Sanchez (CA) for including a federal income tax credit for family caregivers in the infrastructure/jobs legislation. The September 29 letters are here: PDF. […]
Funding the National Quality Forum (NQF)
AAHD has joined the Friends of the National Quality Forum asking Congress to continue federally funding the NQF. The September 22 letter is here: PDF. […]
Adding a Dental Benefit to Medicare Part B
AAHD has joined a Families USA led initiative thanking the House leadership for adding a Medicare Part B dental benefit to the Build Back Better reported legislation. The September 23 letter is here: PDF. […]
Strengthening Vaccines for Children (S. 2691)
AAHD has joined the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) led endorsement of S. 2691. The September 16 letter to the U.S. Senate is here:PDF. […]
Medicare Tele-Behavioral Health in Rural Areas
AAHD has joined a coalition led by rural health associations commenting to CMS on Medicare physician payment schedule provisions for tele-behavioral health services in rural areas. Also see our earlier Sept 16 posting on Medicare audio-only tele-behavioral health. The September 13 rural areas letter to CMS is here: PDF. […]
Enforcing Behavioral Health Parity in Health Insurance Coverage (2)
AAHD has joined a Kennedy Forum led effort, facilitated by the Mental Health Liaison Group, thanking the House Committee on Education and Labor Committee for reporting legislation strengthening the federal government enforcement of behavioral health insurance parity. Earlier efforts were posted September 14. The September 22 letter is here: PDF. […]