Members of the behavioral health community have been building support for designating “behavioral health” into the COVID-Relief House passed Section 3021 expansion of the public health workforce. Available here is former US Rep Patrick Kennedy’s letter to Congressional leaders advocating this idea. […]
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.
Supporting Virtual Community-Based and Mental Health Peer Services – Proposed Legislation
AAHD has joined a coalition of mental health organizations, pushed by DBSA, supporting legislation introduced by Representatives Tony Cardenas (CA) and Paul Tonko (NY) which would establish SAMHSA federal grants to support virtual community-based and peer services. The March 3 Cardenas-Tonko press release on the bill’s introduction is here: PDF. […]
Restoring Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF) Funding
AAHD has joined a TFAH led, 152 organization, request to Congress to restore PPHF funding. The March 3 letter is here: PDF. […]
Maintaining Medicare Part D Medication Clinical “Protected Classes” (part 3)
AAHD is a member of the Partnership for Part D Access, opposing a Trump Administration last day in office announced “formulary flexibilities” that would allow the existing Medicare Part D 6 clinical “protected classes” to be undermined. Previous coalition letters have been posted on the AAHD web site. Available here are: (1) Partnership talking points; […]
Improving Social Determinants of Health Legislation (S 104 and HR 379)
AAHD has joined a coalition of organizations, led by TFAH, endorsing the Improving SDOH legislation (S. 104 and HR 379). An updated fact sheet with list of endorsing organizations is here: PDF. […]
Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities (LINC) To Address Social Needs = Senate Legislation
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined a network endorsing legislation by Senators Dan Sullivan (AK) and Chris Murphy (CT) authorizing grants to states to develop community cross sector referral and capacity development to address social needs. Available here are: (1) legislative one pager; (2) legislative section-to-section review; and (3) RWJ Fd February 25 webinar […]
Advocating Funding Appropriations for CDC
AAHD has joined the CDC Coalition requesting Congress to appropriately fund CDC. The March 1 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Maintaining Medicare Part D Medication Clinical “Protected Classes” (part 2)
AAHD has joined the Partnership for Part D Access, opposing a Trump Administration last day in office announced “formulary flexibilities” that would allow the existing Medicare Part D 6 clinical “protected classes” to be undermined. The February 25 Partnership letter is here: PDF. […]
A Unified Vision for Transforming Mental Health and Substance Use Care in America
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation are 2 of 35 organizations that have joined 14 founding members of a Unified Vision for Transforming Behavioral Health. Available here are the February 25 statement of the 35 organizations, as well as the December 2020 founding vision statement: The joint AAHD-Lakeshore Fd statement, located in the 35 organizations statement: […]
COVID-19 Congressional Relief Legislation – Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services
AAHD has joined a coalition of organizations, led by the Arc-ACLU-AAPD, supporting Congressional passage of the House Energy and Commerce Committee COVID-19 Relief Legislation, Section 3108, which would enhance and strengthen Medicaid HCBS services funding and infrastructure. The February 23 letter is here: PDF. […]