Last month, the Department of Justice announced the withdrawal of 11 pieces of guidance that supported the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. These guidelines were meant to direct businesses to best practices in accessibility for serving people with disabilities. ADA implementation guidance offers important guardrails for protecting people with disabilities from discrimination in […]
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 SAMHSA Cuts and Any Harmful HHS Restructuring – 80 Organizations
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Coalition for Whole Health and 80 organizations, Legal Action Center led, joint statement opposing SAMHSA Funding and Staffing Cuts and Any Harmful HHS Restructuring. The CWH is focused on persons with substance use and mental health challenges. We have previously posted statements on HHS restructuring and cuts, […]
ACA Marketplace Proposed Rules – (2) – National Health Council Submission
AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation earlier submitted comments to CMS on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) proposed rules regulating ACA marketplace health plans (see April 10 posting). AAHD is a member of the National Health Council. The April 11 NHC submitted comments are here: PDF. […]
Tax Credit for Mobility Devices – HR 2320
AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition supporting House legislation (HR 2320) which would establish a federal income tax credit for mobility devices. The April 10 ITEM letter is here: PDF. […]
ACA Marketplace Proposed Rules – AAHD and Lakeshore Submission
AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation have submitted comments to CMS on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) proposed rules regulating ACA marketplace health plans. The April 10 submitted comments are here: PDF. […]
HHS Restructuring – Vital Role of SAMHSA
AAHD is a Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) member. Available here is the April 7 MHLG board of directors statement on SAMHSA’s vital role. Also, available here is NAMI-MHA-some other MHLG members statement on HHS mental health and substance use staffing cuts: PDF. […]
Medicare Expanded Coverage of Anti-Obesity Medications – Disappointment
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition issuing a press release on the HHS and CMS decision to “not” expand Medicare coverage of anti-obesity medications. The proposal would also include Medicaid. The April 9 ITEM statement is here: PDF. […]
NCQA Quality Measures – Disability Priorities
April 9 AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation submitted comments to NCQA (National Committee on Quality Assurance), Consumer Advisory Council (CAC). Available here are the April 9th AAHD-Lakeshore submission, and the NCQA Recommendations to the Trump Administration, including behavioral health integration as a major theme: PDF. […]
Funding the CDC – Advocates Appropriations Request
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 219 organizations of the CDC Coalition, led by APHA, requesting Congressional Appropriations Committees support for funding levels to target CDC goals, including programs serving persons with disabilities. The April 9 letter is here: PDF. […]
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder – Recovery Including Peer Support Specialists – Senate Legislation
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) peer support work group supporting legislation by Senators Kaine (VA) and Banks (IN), joined by Senators Baldwin (WI), Murkowski (AK), and Wyden (OR), to strengthen federal government support of MH and SUD recovery and peer support specialists. Available here are the Kaine-Banks […]