AAHD has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) recommendations to NIH-HHS-CDC recommending areas for disability specific COVID-19 research. The three September 8 DRRC letters are here: NIH letter; HHS letter; CDC letter. […]
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.
COVID-19 Vaccine Equitable Allocations – Disability Community Comments
In response to the request of the National Academy of Medicine, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) task forces on health, LTSS, and rights co-chairs submitted comments on COVID-19 vaccine equitable allocations. AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation submitted joint comments endorsing the CCD comments and further emphasizing the COVID-19 data collection, analysis, and public […]
Funding of ACL and CDC Falls Prevention Programs
AAHD has joined a National Council on Aging request to Congress to include $10 million for ACL and $4 million for CDC falls prevention programs, as part of the COVID-19 emergency packages. The Sept 3 letter is here: PDF. […]
CDC Revised COVID-19 Testing Guidelines – 235 Organizations Seek Reversal
AAHD has joined 235 organizations, led by Trust for America’s Health, requesting that recent CDC COVID-19 testing guidelines be reversed and the prior guidelines be restored. The September 3 letter to the Administration is here: PDF. […]
Seeking SAMHSA MH and SUD Funding During the COVID Crisis
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) seeking $4.5 billion in next year’s funding for mental health and substance use SAMHSA program funding. The August 28 letter is here: PDF. […]
County & City Health Depts Request CDC To Reverse Its COVID Testing Guidelines
NACCHO and the Big Cities Health Coalition have written CDC and HHS asking that CDC reverse its August 24 COVID testing guidelines. The August 28 county and city health depts letter is here: The August 24 CDC guideline announced change is here: PDF. […]
Strengthening Mental Health Supports for Historically Ignored Communities
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group supporting legislation by Reps Cardenas (CA) and Bernice Johnson (TX) to strengthen mental health supports for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Available here are the Cardenas-Johnson August 27 press releaseand legislative text. […]
Disability Community Provider Associations Request Delay in Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Rules
The August 13 letter to CMS is here: PDF. […]
Medicare and Medicaid Home Health Payments – Concerns
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. […]
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. […]