AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) recommending to Congress legislative improvements to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The May 20 CCD 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.
Medicaid HCBS – To Congress – Include in Biden Administration Jobs-Infrastructure Proposal
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC) requesting Congress to include the Medicaid home-and-community-based services (HCBS) enhancements in the Administration jobs/infrastructure legislation. The May 27 letter is here: PDF. […]
Appropriations Funding for NIDILRR, ICD, and Some CDC Programs
AAHD has joined fellow Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) members requesting annual funding for NIDILRR, ICD, and some CDC programs. The May 26 letters of request to the House and Senate are here: House letter; Senate letter. […]
Primary and Behavioral Health Care Access Act – HR 3550
AAHD has joined 31 organizations endorsing Rep Lauren Underwood (IL) legislation which would require private insurance plans to cover 3 annual primary care and 3 annual behavioral health visits without co-pay. Rep Underwood’s May 26 press release summarizing the legislation (HR 3550) and listing the endorsing organizations is available here: PDF. […]
Creating a Federal Income Tax Credit for Caregivers (HR 3321; S. 1670)
AAHD has joined a 68 organization coalition, led by AARP, endorsing legislation to establish a federal income tax credit for caregivers (HR 3321; S. 1670). Available here are the coalition endorsement letter, an AARP fact sheet; and an AARP infographic. […]
Advocating Behavioral Health Workers Set-Aside in the COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act Public Health Workforce Funding
Nineteen (19) members of the U.S. House have written HHS advocating that there be a behavioral health worker set-aside in the American Rescue Plan Act public health workforce funding. Several BH national organizations have advocated this. Public Health association response is not known by AAHD. The May 21 19 House members letter is here: PDF. […]
Week of May 25, 2021
Medicaid LTSS: Building Capacity in the Direct Service Workforce April 28 CMS webinar slides made available by the Lewin Group on May 18 Learn more here. Enforceable Accessible Medical Equipment Standards: A Necessary Means To Address the Health Care Needs of People with Mobility Disabilities May 20 National Council on Disability briefing and report Learn […]
Medicare Advantage Plans – Streamline and Standardize “Prior Authorization” (HR 3173)
AAHD has joined the Regulatory Relief Coalition supporting legislation (HR 3173) (Improving Seniors Timely Access To Care Act). The legislation would require MA plans to implement a more timely and transparent “prior authorization” process. Available here is the coalition’s press release, an outline summary of the legislation, and the list of organizational supporters. […]
Funding the CDC Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Program
AAHD has joined over 50 organizations, led by the Us Against Alzheimer’s, May 18 letter to the Congressional Committees on Appropriations requesting funding for the CDC program. The May 18 letter is here: PDF. […]
Tackling America’s Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Through Primary Care Integration – Priority Recommendations
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the effort led by No Health Without Mental Health (NHMH) suggesting 14 vital recommendations from the March 53 policy recommendations made by the Bipartisan Policy Center report on behavioral health through primary care integration. Available here are the May 18 NHMH led recommendations to the House leadership and […]