AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition writing CMS on intermittent catheter coding. The June 26 ITEM 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.
Work Without Worry – Social Security Disabled Adult Child Benefits – Senate Legislation
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have endorsed Senate legislation by Senators Wyden (OR), Cassidy (LA), and 9 other Senators that would not count any work earnings for continued Social Security Disabled Adult Child benefits. Available here are Senators Wyden-Cassidy June 23 press release listing advocate supporters, one page summary including advocate supporters, and the legislative […]
Improving Federal Govt Regulatory Processes To Improve Access To Health Care
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a National Health Law Program (NHeLP) initiative suggesting improvements to the OMB A-4 Regulatory Analysis to improve analysis of distributional effects and improve access to health coverage and care. The June 20 letter to OMB is here: PDF. […]
Public Health Instructure Act – Senate Legislation
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) led effort supporting Senator Murray (WA) reintroduction of legislation to establish a core PH infrastructure program at CDC. Available here are a June 15 TFAH prepared fact sheet that includes AAHD and Lakeshore and Senator Murray’s June 14 press release. […]
Pre-Term Births – Reauthorization of Federal Program (HR 3226 and S. 1573)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 77 organizations, led by the March of Dimes, supporting legislation to reauthorize a federal program dealing with pre-term births. The June 9 coalition letters to the Senate sponsors and US Senate and House sponsors and US House are here: PDF. […]
Telehealth Only Health Plans – MH SUD Community Opposition (HR 824)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined national MH and SUD organizations opposing HR 824. The legislation would allow establishment of Stand-Alone Telehealth Health Plans, not subject to health insurance regulation, including the MHPAEA parity obligations. Such proposed plans could prohibit in-person services. On June 6, the House Education and Workforce Committee “pulled” the legislation […]
Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities – Quality Measures
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined national organizations led by NAMI and MHA asking HHS and CMS to add patient experience of care and health equity quality measures to inpatient psych facilities Medicare and Medicaid payment rules. The June 5 letter is here: PDF. […]
Mental Health and Addiction Insurance “Parity” Expansion to Medicare and Medicaid
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Kennedy Forum led, Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) letter to Senators Bennet (CO) and Wyden (OR) endorsing the Better Mental Health Care for Americans legislation to expand the MHPAEA insurance parity requirements to Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D medications, and Medicaid. The May 23 MHLG letter is […]
Discharge From Inpatient Facilities to Home-Based Settings for Medicaid Participants
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments to and in response to a Lewin Group for CMS framing document – Discharge From Inpatient Facilities to Home-Based Settings for Medicaid Participants. Available here, are the May 23 AAHD-Lakeshore comments and the April 24 Lewin framing document. […]
Power Wheel-Chairs Seat Elevation Systems – Medicare Will Now Pay – (2)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the ITEM (Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid) Coalition thanking CMS for its decision for Medicare to cover power wheel-chair seat elevation systems. We previously posted May 18 the ITEM press release and CMS announced decision. The May 19 ITEM thank you letter is here: PDF. […]