3 US Senators – Ossoff and Warnock (GA) and Brown (OH) have written HHS asking that the CMS CMMI RSNAT (Repetitive Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transport) program be strengthened and avoid unintended consequences for persons with disabilities and persons with chronic health conditions in Medicare and Medicaid. The January 12 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.
Opposing Blanket Repeal (SUNSET) of HHS Rules Proposed by Trump Administration (2)
The co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) task forces on health and LTSS wrote in support of the current administration proposed repeal of a proposed January 19, 2021 Trump Administration rule that would automatically repeal any rule in a timeframe unless the Administration has assessed and announced their assessment. AAHD is an […]
Opposing Blanket Repeal (SUNSET) of HHS Rules Proposed by Trump Administration
AAHD has joined the Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) supporting the current administration proposed repeal of a proposed January 19, 2021 Trump Administration rule that would automatically repeal any rule in a timeframe unless the Administration has assessed and announced their assessment. The December 22 CPR letter is here: PDF. […]
Advocating a Medicaid Mandatory Dental Benefit
AAHD has joined a Families USA promoted, Care Quest drafted letter to the U.S. Senate advocating the addition of a mandatory Medicaid dental benefit in the Build Back Better proposal. The December 17 letter is here: PDF. […]
Proposed CDC Healthy Aging Public Health Program Includes Persons with Disabilities
AAHD has joined a Trust for America’s Health proposal, sponsored by U.S. Representatives Frankel (CA), Bilirakis (FL), and Dingell (MI), to establish a new CDC program to promote healthy aging public health programs. AAHD is particularly supportive of legislative text items: Page 3 (2) – health outcome disparities in older adults including differences by disability […]
9 Health Priorities in the Build Back Better Legislation
AAHD has joined a Families USA, Community Catalyst, and others led coalition statement to the House and Senate requesting that the final Senate passed Build Back Better legislation include nine areas, including Medicaid home-and-community-based services (HCBS) and Medicaid coverage. The letter includes two areas that AAHD has not previously addressed: federal and state government negotiation […]
Alleviate Barriers To Access Evidence-Based Treatment for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder (2) – State and County Officials
In response to the Senate Committee on Finance RFI on barriers to treatment, on November 18 we posted statements by AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation; AAHD & Lakeshore joined 8 national organizations led by No Health without Mental Health (NHMH); and AAHD. a Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) member joined 54 MHLG members. Available here […]
CDC Funding Advocacy with Congress
AAHD has joined 140 members of the CDC Coalition asking the House and Senate appropriations leaders to include the House passed $10.5 billion CDC appropriation in the final HHS appropriations legislation. The November 30 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities (LINC) To Address Social Needs – H.R. 6072 and S. 509
House members have introduced the LINC Act (HR 6072), accompanying a previously introduced Senate bill (S. 509). AAHD and our partner Lakeshore Foundation have endorsed both the House and Senate legislation; see Aligning for Health list of supporting organizations: LINC to Address Social Needs Act – Aligning for Health. The new House legislation is sponsored […]
Alleviate Barriers To Access Evidence-Based Treatment for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder
In response to the Senate Committee on Finance RFI on barriers to treatment, AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments. AAHD & Lakeshore joined 8 national organizations led by No Health without Mental Health (NHMH). AAHD, a Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) member, joined 54 MHLG members submitting comments. The AAHD & Lakeshore letter […]