The Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation has expressed concerns with two CMS proposed home health payment rules – telehealth inadvertently harming in-person care and use of “Patient-Driven Groupings Model.” The August 24 CPR 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.
CMS Affirms Medicare Tele-Health Services Including Audio-Only Support
CMS Administrator has responded to Senators Smith (MN) and Cassidy (LA) explaining CMS temporary and interim Medicare tele-health policies. The August 6 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Support for Those Being Released from Jails and Prisons
AAHD has joined a Legal Action Center led letter to Congress supporting Medicaid support 30 days prior to release and 30 days after reentry to jail and prison. The August 14 letter, focused on mental health and substance use treatment, is here: PDF. […]
The Integration of Substance Use Disorder and General Health/Primary Care Medical Records
The COVID-19 CARES act improved the integration of substance use disorder medical records (42 CFR, Part 2) and general health/primary care (HIPAA). On August 12, the APA (psychiatry)-AAAP-+ ASAM conducted a webinar on the new rules. The webinar slides are here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Maintenance of Effort (MOE) – Explained
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) has issued a brief explaining Medicaid MOE and the impact of possible proposed changes. The August 10 brief is here: PDF. […]
Senate Legislation Would Waive Co-Pays for COVID-19 Vaccines
Senator Tina Smith (MN), with the co-sponsorship of Senators Harris (CA) and Bennet (CO), have introduced legislation that would waive insurance co-cays for COVID-19 vaccines. AAHD supports the legislation. Senator Smith’s Aug 11 press release is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Core Quality Measures – Disability and Aging Concerns with Omission of HCBS Measures
AAHD has co-led the submission of comments to CMS vendor Mathematica on proposed Medicaid core quality measures for 2021. 12 national organizations affiliated with the Disability and Aging Collaborative and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities submitted comments to Mathematica. The July 10 Mathematica draft report for public comment and the disability and aging advocates […]
Housing Stability and Persons with Disabilities – COVID-19 Legislative Responses
The co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Housing has issued a statement to the Senate on eviction prevention, housing stability, and persons with disabilities. The August 6 statement is here: PDF. […]
Telehealth – Disability Community Principles
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Health issuing principles for the use of telehealth in insurance programs. The August 7 released statement is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid in the Senate COVID-19 Legislation – Senate Dems on At-Risk Communities
All Senate Dems have written the U.S. Senate emphasizing the need for Medicaid in at-risk communities. The August 5 letter is here: PDF. […]