AAHD has joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition submitting testimony statement to the House Committee on Ways and Means on bridging health equity gaps for people with disabilities and chronic conditions. The ITEM statement proposes Medicaid policy changes related to wheelchair technology; assistive devices related to low vision and visual […]
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.
Civil Monetary Penalties for Violations of Behavioral Health Parity in Health Insurance
AAHD has joined a Kennedy Forum led effort, facilitated through the Mental Health Liaison Group, letter to Congress supporting the U.S. Department of Labor civil monetary penalties for health plans violating the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The February 15 letter is here: PDF. […]
Disability Community To Congress – Finalize Annual Appropriations
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) letter to Congress requesting their finalization of annual appropriations legislation. The February 14 CCD letter is here: PDF . […]
56 National Advocates – Congress Should Delay CMS Transportation Prior-Authorization Program
AAHD has joined 56 national advocacy organizations asking Congressional appropriations committees to delay a CMS CMMI (Center on Medicare and Medicaid Innovation) Repetitive Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport (RSNAT) program. RSNAT fails to provide alternative transportation options to some persons with chronic health conditions. The February 14 advocate letter is here: PDF. […]
Providing Beneficiary Perspectives into the CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI)
Available here is the AAHD sister organization PIPC (Partnership To Improve Patient Care) February 9 letter to/on engaging beneficiaries into the regular work of the CMS CMMI: PDF. […]
Workforce Diversity at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
AAHD is a member of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC). Available here is the February 10 DRRC steering committee letter to/on the draft NIH workforce diversity plan: PDF. […]
Senate Prevent Pandemics Legislation (2) – Include Integrated Networks Addressing Social Needs (LINC; S. 509/HR 6072)
AAHD has joined Aligning for Health led letter requesting that the Senate Committee on HELP include LINC (Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities To Address Social Needs) legislation in the PREVENT Pandemics legislation. The February 4 letter is here: PDF. […]
Senate Prevent Pandemics Legislation – Disability, Aging, and Chronic Conditions Suggestions
AAHD has joined an EFA led letter of suggestions submitted to the Senate Committee on HELP draft PREVENT Pandemics Act. The February 4 letter is here: PDF. […]
Health Access, Affordability, Quality, and Equity – Health Patient Advocacy Community
AAHD is a National Health Council (NHC) member. Available here is the February 1 NHC report on health access, affordability, quality, and equity: PDF. […]
Peer Specialist Recognition and Funding Included in Veterans Resilience Act (HR 6411; Section 401)
The Veteran Peer Specialist legislation (S. 2386 and HR 4575) is now included as Section 401 in Supporting Resilience of the Nation’s Great Veterans (HR 6411). The legislation is scheduled for House Veterans Affairs Committee mark-up on Feb 2. Available here is the October 21 Mental Health Liaison Group support letter, that includes AAHD: PDF. […]