AAHD has joined NAMI, DBSA, and other behavioral health organizations supporting legislation (HR 7483) by Representatives Reschenthaler (PA) and Trone (MD) to study and document the costs of serious mental illness. Rep Reschenthaler’s April 13 press release 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.
Supporting Behavioral Health Virtual Peer Support Services – S. 157 and HR 2929
AAHD has joined the DBSA led, Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) letter supporting pending legislation – the Virtual Peer Support Act. The April 11 MHLG letter is here: PDF. […]
Communities in Need – Mental Health – House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing (part 2)
On April 5, we posted AAHD joining a coalition of national organizations promoting the integration of behavioral health-general health-primary care. We posted the coalition statement and the Committee chair’s announced areas of focus. Available here are 5 testimony statements delivered at the April 5 hearing: American Psychiatric Assn and American Academy of Pediatrics which includes […]
Designating People with Disabilities as a Health Disparity Population
AAHD, as a member, has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) encouraging NIH and AHRQ to designate persons with disabilities as a health disparities population. The April 7 DRRC letter is here: PDF. […]
TREAT Long COVID Legislation Introduced
AAHD has endorsed legislation led by Rep Pressley (MA) and co-sponsored by Reps Beyer (VA) and Blunt-Rochester (DE) and Senators Duckworth (IL), Kaine (VA), and Markey (MA). The legislation would authorize a new HHS grant program targeted to Long COVID. Available here are the April 7 rep Pressley press release listing supporters, a one page […]
Medicaid and Disability – AAHD Presentation To the CMS Administrator
On April 7, AAHD joined a by invitation CMS Administrator listening session. Available here is AAHD’s issue brief on five issues discussed by AAHD at the CMS Administrator Listening Session: (1) Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS); (2) Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) – Core Quality Measure Set (3) More Effective Coordination (Ultimately Integration) For Persons Dually Eligible […]
Maternal and Child Health Services Bock Grant – Appropriations Request
AAHD has joined an AMCHP led coalition requesting funding for the HRSA administered, MCH Block Grant. The April 6 letter is here: PDF. […]
Law Enforcement De-Escalation and Crisis Intervention Training Legislation
AAHD has joined Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) members and state and local government officials supporting law enforcement de-escalation and crisis intervention training legislation. The April 5 Senators Cornyn (TX) and Whitehouse (RI) press release on their legislative introduction is here: PDF. […]
Reauthorizing the SAMHSA Eating Disorders Center (S. 3686; HR 7249)
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) supporting the reauthorization of the SAMHSA Eating Disorders Center. The April 4 MHLG letter to Congress is here: PDF. […]
Behavioral Health-General Health Integration at the House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing
AAHD has joined the American Psychological Assn, No Health without Mental Health, as partners with 8 national organizations, submitting a testimony statement to the April 5 hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Heath hearing on “Communities in Need: Legislation To Support Mental Health and Well-Being.” Available here are the April 4 […]