AAHD has joined an AARP led coalition thanking House leaders, House Ways and Means Committee members, and Rep Linda Sanchez (CA) for including a federal income tax credit for family caregivers in the infrastructure/jobs legislation. The September 29 letters are 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.
Funding the National Quality Forum (NQF)
AAHD has joined the Friends of the National Quality Forum asking Congress to continue federally funding the NQF. The September 22 letter is here: PDF. […]
Adding a Dental Benefit to Medicare Part B
AAHD has joined a Families USA led initiative thanking the House leadership for adding a Medicare Part B dental benefit to the Build Back Better reported legislation. The September 23 letter is here: PDF. […]
Strengthening Vaccines for Children (S. 2691)
AAHD has joined the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) led endorsement of S. 2691. The September 16 letter to the U.S. Senate is here:PDF. […]
Medicare Tele-Behavioral Health in Rural Areas
AAHD has joined a coalition led by rural health associations commenting to CMS on Medicare physician payment schedule provisions for tele-behavioral health services in rural areas. Also see our earlier Sept 16 posting on Medicare audio-only tele-behavioral health. The September 13 rural areas letter to CMS is here: PDF. […]
Enforcing Behavioral Health Parity in Health Insurance Coverage (2)
AAHD has joined a Kennedy Forum led effort, facilitated by the Mental Health Liaison Group, thanking the House Committee on Education and Labor Committee for reporting legislation strengthening the federal government enforcement of behavioral health insurance parity. Earlier efforts were posted September 14. The September 22 letter is here: PDF. […]
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) – Disability Community Statement
The Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) has submitted a statement in response to the Congressional SDOH Caucus request for information (RFI). AAHD was actively involved in providing ideas and text to the September 21 DRRC statement, available here: PDF. […]
Medicare Part D Medications – Unaffordable Out-of-Pocket Costs (2)
AAHD has joined the Medicare Access Patients Rx (MAPRx) coalition advocating measures to reduce the Medicare Part D out-of-pocket burdens. See Sept 9 AAHD public policy updates posting on a similar letter by the AAR. The September 9 MAPRx letters are here: House; Senate. […]
Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) in the House Infrastructure/Jobs Legislation
The co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on LTSS have supported and reinforced the Medicaid HCBS provisions contained in the House Energy and Commerce Committee infrastructure/jobs Build Back Better legislation. AAHD is an active CCD LTSS member. The September 16 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
12 Months Continuous Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility for Children
AAHD has joined 215 organizations, led by the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), asking Congress to require 12 months continuous Medicaid and CHIP eligibility for children. The September 14 letter is here: PDF. […]