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 […]
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.
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 […]
Medicaid LTSS Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) – Assn of State Agencies and Consumer Advocates Recommend Legislative Changes
Available here is the March 29 NASDDDS, ADvancing States, and two consumer advocate assns. EVV legislative recommendations: PDF. […]
NIH – Disability as a U.S. Health Disparities Population
The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) has written NIH on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and has advocated disability as a U.S. Health Disparities Population. AAHD is a DRRC member. The April 1 DRRC letter to NIH is here: PDF. […]
CDC Funding – Advocates Appropriations Request
AAHD has joined the CDC Coalition and 178 organizations requesting Congressional appropriations for CDC. The April 1 letter is here: PDF.. […]
Behavioral Health Care When Americans Need It: Senate Committee on Finance Hearing (part two)
We previously posted the AAHD-Lakeshore Foundation Hearing statement and the committee’s pre-hearing report. Available here are the four in-person witness statements: GAO; Commonwealth Fund; Meadows Institute on integrating services; and University of Washington on integrating services. […]
Behavioral Health Care When Americans Need IT – Senate Committee on Finance Hearing (part one)
On March 30, the Senate Committee on Finance conducted a hearing on behavioral health care. Prior to the hearing, the Committee issued a report – Mental Health Care in the U.S.: The Case for Federal Action. Available here is the AAHD-Lakeshore Foundation statement focused on persons with co-occurring conditions and the need for integrated delivery; […]