AAHD has joined Aligning for Health endorsing the Senate introduction of the Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Act. Senators Stabenow (MI) and Young (IN) are the Senate sponsors. AAHD and Aligning for Health previously endorsed the House version (HR 2503), sponsored by Reps Bustos (IL), Cole (OK), McGovern (MA), and Mullin (OK). It takes some […]
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.
SSI & SSDI Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) – Burdensome Process and Documents on Beneficiaries; Need for Long Term SSI Improvements
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on Social Security, commenting to SSA on the SSI-SSDI CDR process. The CCD Social Security co-chairs wrote Congress repeating the need for long term improvements in the SSI program, re-sharing the July 26 and May 12 letters signed by AAHD. The October 18 […]
Removing the Medicare Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Lifetime Limit
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Groutp (MHLG) advocating enactment of legislation to remove the 190 day lifetime Medicare limit on inpatient psychiatric hospital treatment. Available here are he October 18 letters to House and Senate. […]
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots – Disability Community Seeks Further CDC Guidance
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on Health, seeking additional CDC guidance on COVID-19 vaccine boosters and persons with disabilities. The October 19 letter is here: PDF. […]
AAHD Discusses Medicaid and Medicare Issues with the CMS Administrator and Leadership Team
AAHD was invited and participated in a disability issue discussion with CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and a dozen members of her leadership team. Each invited organization was invited to discuss 3-to-5 issues. The October 19 AAHD list and description of 5 issues is here: PDF. […]
CMS Announces Repeal of Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology
AAHD has joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition expressing grave disappointment with CMS’s decision to stop the proposed Medicare coverage of innovative technology program. The October 15 ITEM Coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation – Utah Proposes Exclusion
AAHD has joined 59 disability and health advocates, opposing Utah’s Medicaid Section 1115 waiver application to exclude NEMT as an adult expansion benefit. The letter is led by Simon & Co, a provider. The October 14 letter is here: PDF. […]
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Requirements in Medicare and Medicaid
AAHD has joined a Kennedy Forum led, Mental Health Liaison Group and Coalition To Stop Opioid Overdose, advocating enactment of the MHPAEA requirements to Medicare and Medicaid. Available here is the October 8 letter to Senators Bennet (CO) and Coryn (TX), who are proposing a reimaging of the country’s mental health and substance use disorder […]
NQF – Rural Telehealth and Healthcare System Readiness – Disability Considerations
Available here are the comments of the University of Montana RTC – Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities; and AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation statement supporting the Univ of MT comments; and the September draft National Quality Forum (NQF) report on rural telehealth and healthcare system readiness: PDF. […]
Medicare Part D Medications Open Enrollment Guide – Beneficiary Ideas
AAHD has joined the Medicare Access for Patients Rx Coalition (MAPRx) announcing the 2022 Medicare Part D enrollment guide; available here: PDF. […]