The Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) leadership has written HHS requesting that Medicare and Medicaid telehealth policy changes be made permanent. The December 24 letter shared an October 5 MHLG sign-on letter, which includes MHLG member AAHD. The two letters are here: December. 24; October 5. […]
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 Reductions in Medicaid Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Will Harm Persons with Disabilities and HCBS Services (2)
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Forces on Health and LTSS co-chairs, have submitted comments to CMS objecting to proposals to reduce Medicaid MOE requirements while COVID-19 continues to threated the health, wellness, and community living integration of persons with disabilities. AAHD is active in these CCD task forces. AAHD and the Lakeshore […]
CDC Response to Public Health Community on Actionable COVID-19 Testing Guidelines
In response to a Trust for America’s Health led coalition September 3 letter, that included AAHD, CDC has clarified current thinking about COVID-19 testing. Available here are the January 4 CDC letter and the Sept 3 TFAH coalition letter. […]
Social Security Administration Clarifies Status of “Continuing Disability Review” During COVID Pandemic
In response to a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) October 23 letter, that includes AAHD, SSA has clarified its administration of CDRs. Available here are the December 29 SSA and Oct 23 CCD letters. […]
CMS Reductions in Medicaid Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Will Harm Persons with Disabilities and HCBS Services
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments to CMS objecting to proposals to reduce Medicaid MOE requirements while COVID-19 continues to threated the health, wellness, and community living integration of persons with disabilities. The AAHD-Lakeshore December 30 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Rehabilitation Therapies as Regulatory Relief
The Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) , a coalition that AAHD participates in, steering committee has responded to a HHS and CMS RFI describing modifications in Medicare policies related to rehabilitation therapy, rehabilitation hospitals, telehealth, skilled nursing homes, and maintenance therapy. The CPR steering committee December 28 letter is here: PDF. […]
Improving Health Insurance “Prior Authorization” Transparency and Processes
Using a National Health Council guidance, AAHD has joined the Lakeshore Foundation submitting comments to CMS on proposed rules to improve the “prior authorization” process. AAHD is a NHC member. The December 30 AAHD-Lakeshore comments are here: PDF. […]
Behavioral Health Policy Recommendations Submitted to Biden Transition Team
The Coalition for Whole Health (CWH) submitted comments to the Biden Transition team. AAHD is a CWH member and several AAHD recommendations are included in the document. The December 23 CWH statement is here: PDF. […]
COVID Vaccinations – Include On-Site Medical Signed-Language Interpreters
AAHD has joined the American Translators Association requesting that on-site medical interpreters be considered a COVID-19 vaccine priority. The December 16 letter is here: PDF. […]
Advocating Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) COVID Relief Act (S. 4947 and HR 8871)
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC) asking Congress to include Medicaid HCBS supports in any COVID relief legislation. The December 7 letter is here: PDF. […]