AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments in response to the CMS RFI on access to care and coverage to Medicaid. The AAHD comments focus on HCBS & LTSS standards; behavioral health standards; MHPAEA; managed LTSS network access; HCBS core quality measures; HCBS workforce; and measuring equity. The April 18 submission 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.
Days at Home and in the Community as a Medicare Quality Measure
AAHD, Altarum, and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments to the National Quality Forum supporting a recommended quality measure on days at home and in the community. Available here are the April 22 joint letter and a NQF summary of the measure. […]
Improving Social Security Service Delivery & Customer Service With Reopening SSA Field Offices
Available here are the April 21 Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) letter to Congress and the April 20 Social Security Administration reply to Senate Committee on Finance chair Senator Ron Wyden (OR) on improving service delivery and customer service with SSA field offices reopening after 2 years of no in-person service: AAHD is a […]
Funding the CDC Alzheimer Disease Grant Program
AAHD has joined Us Against Alzheimers advocating appropriations for the CDC program. The April 19 letters to the House and Senate are here: House; Senate. […]
Strengthening NIDILRR Peer Review Criteria – Expanding People with Disabilities
AAHD is a member of the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC). Available here is the April 18 DRRC leaders letter supporting the strengthening of the NIDILRR review process: PDF. […]
Integrating Behavioral Health and Physical Health in Medicaid, Including in Medicaid Health Homes
Available here are CMS and MACPAC resources on integrating behavioral health and general health in Medicaid. Currently, 19 states and DC implement Medicaid Health Homes (authorized in the Affordable Care Act, ACA): CMS Medicaid health homes fact sheet CMS Medicaid health homes fact sheet CMS Medicaid Health Homes – CoCM – May 2013 brief CMS […]
Studying the Costs of Serious Mental Illness (HR 7483)
AAHD has joined NAMI, DBSA, and other behavioral health organizations supporting legislation (HR 7483) by Representatives Reschenthaler (PA) and Trone (MD) to study and document the costs of serious mental illness. Rep Reschenthaler’s April 13 press release is here: PDF. […]
Supporting Behavioral Health Virtual Peer Support Services – S. 157 and HR 2929
AAHD has joined the DBSA led, Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) letter supporting pending legislation – the Virtual Peer Support Act. The April 11 MHLG letter is here: PDF. […]
Communities in Need – Mental Health – House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing (part 2)
On April 5, we posted AAHD joining a coalition of national organizations promoting the integration of behavioral health-general health-primary care. We posted the coalition statement and the Committee chair’s announced areas of focus. Available here are 5 testimony statements delivered at the April 5 hearing: American Psychiatric Assn and American Academy of Pediatrics which includes […]
Designating People with Disabilities as a Health Disparity Population
AAHD, as a member, has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) encouraging NIH and AHRQ to designate persons with disabilities as a health disparities population. The April 7 DRRC letter is here: PDF. […]