AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the effort led by No Health Without Mental Health (NHMH) suggesting 14 vital recommendations from the March 53 policy recommendations made by the Bipartisan Policy Center report on behavioral health through primary care integration. Available here are the May 18 NHMH led recommendations to the House leadership and […]
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.
Medicare Payment for Complex Rehabilitation Manual Wheelchair Accessories
The Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition steering committee has written CMS requesting permanent Medicare payment for certain manual wheelchair accessories. AAHD is an ITEM Coalition member. The May 18 ITEM letter is here: PDF. […]
COVID-19 Vaccine Medicaid Transportation (HR 3013)
AAHD has joined 60 organizations endorsing HR 3013 – COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Transportation Act, clarifying that non-emergency medical transportation to receive a COVID-19 vaccine is a 100% federal Medicaid matching service. The legislation is sponsored by Reps Barragan (CA), Cardenas (CA), Clarke (NY), Ruiz (CA), Blumenauer (OR), Soto (FL), and Delegate Norton (DC). The May […]
Promoting Integrated Medical and Behavioral Health Through Integrated Medical Records
AAHD has joined the Partnership To Amend 42 CFR, part 2, commenting to HHS on HIPAA rules and promoting integrated medical and BH service delivery. The May 6 letter is here: PDF. […]
Implementing High Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined No Health Without Mental Health led and NACBHDD and NARMH in sharing ideas to the May 4 National Academy of Medicine primary care rebuilding report. Available here are the May 10 five organizations ideas and the May 4 NAM report. […]
Social Risk Adjustment in Quality Measurement
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation submitted comments to the National Quality Forum (NQF) on the NQF draft report for public comment on social risk adjustment in quality measurement. The May 10 comments are here: PDF. […]
Advocating for a Long COVID-19 (“PASC”) Plan
AAHD has joined a coalition led by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, calling for a federal commission to develop a comprehensive national plan to defeat the Long COVID-19 “PASC” Crisis. The May 6 statement is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) Access Act (3)
Available here are the April 30 comments of the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) on the Congressional draft HCBS access legislation. The draft legislation and Congressional request were posted on this public policy updates web page on March 18 and the AAHD-Lakeshore submitted comments and submitted comments of two aging and disability coalitions were […]
Federal Study and Encouragement of Assistive Technology – HR 2461 and S. 1089 (2)
AAHD has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) supporting proposed legislation (HR 2461 and S. 1089) supporting the use of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. We previously posted similar letters by the ITEM Coalition. The May 5 letters are here: Senate letter; House letter. […]
Funding Federal Assistive Technology Programs
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) advocating appropriations funding for HHS assistive technology programs. The May 4 CCD letters to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are here: House Letter; Senate Letter. […]