AAHD has joined the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) led endorsement of legislation authorizing Medicare reimbursement of Critical Care Hospitals provision of behavioral health telehealth services. The legislation will be introduced March 25 by Representatives Kildee (MI) and Wenstrop (OH) with a NRHA press release. Available here is the March 18 fact sheet supporting the […]
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.
Medical Nutrition Therapy as a Medicare Part B Service (HR 1551 and S. 584)
AAHD has joined an Eating Disorders Coalition led effort endorsing legislation by Senators Hassan (NH) and Murkowski (AK) (S. 584) and Representatives Chu (CA), Walorski (IN), and Rochester (DE) (HR 1551) authorizing medical nutrition therapy as a Medicare Part B service. The March 17 letter of support is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) – Congress Seeks Stakeholder Ideas – By April 26
U.S. Senators Hassan (NH), Casey (PA) and Brown (OH) and Representative Dingell (MI) have released the discussion draft legislative text of the Medicaid HCBS Access Act. Deadline for public comment is April 26. The March 16 memo to stakeholders and the draft leg text are available here. […]
Final Congressional Passage of the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act – (3) – Behavioral Health Expansions
Available here are American Rescue Plan Act summaries by NCBH and DASADAD. […]
Final Congressional Passage of the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act – (2) – ACA and Health Insurance Coverage
AAHD NDNRC summaries of the American Rescue Plan Act Affordable Care Act (ACA) and related health insurance coverage provisions: PDF. It is also available here: https://nationaldisabilitynavigator.org/2021/03/12/march-12-2021 […]
Medicaid Waivers – Work Requirements – HHS Report
Available here is the March 11 HHS ASPE report on Medicaid waivers with a focus on work requirements (a review of the evidence): PDF. […]
Falls Prevention – ACL and CDC Appropriations
AAHD has joined a NCOA led coalition to Congressional appropriations committees supporting ACL and CDC falls prevention funding. The March 12 letter is here: PDF. […]
Final Congressional Passage of the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act – Health, Medicaid, Housing, Intergovernmental Financial Assistance
Available are statements of coalitions AAHD belongs to and sister national organizations we have supported. This merger of summaries focuses on “health,” including Medicaid; “housing;” and assistance to state and local government. Available here are the summaries of: Coalition for Health Funding Association of State and Territorial Health Officials National Association of City and County […]
Continue Rental Evictions Moratorium During COVID-19 Pandemic
AAHD has joined the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Housing asking the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Trade Commission to recognize and continue the federal government’s rental evictions moratorium during COVID-19. The March 3 letter is here: PDF. […]
Legislation To Age Adjust Eligibility for ABLE Accounts (S. 331 and HR 1219)
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) supporting legislation adjusting the age eligibility for the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program. The March 2 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]