AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on LTSS opposing proposed legislation to increase the Medicaid FMAP (Federal Medical Assistance Percentage) for Intermediate Care Facilities serving persons with ID-DD (ICFs-ID-DD). The proposal is a reaction to the disability community efforts to increase spending for Medicaid HCBS (home-and-community-based services) (Better Care […]
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.
Surprise Medical Billing – Disability Community Comments to CMS
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on Health comments to CMS on surprise medical billing. The CCD comments focused on network adequacy and effective communication. The September 7 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) – Comments on PCORI Proposed Priorities – (2)
The National Health Council (NHC), with AAHD as a member, submitted comments to PCORI on PCORI’s proposed priorities. On August 30 we posted the PIPC comments on PCORI. The August 27 NHC letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid HCBS – Why Proposed Full Funding in the Infrastructure/Jobs Act is Necessary
Congressional leaders in the infrastructure/jobs legislation are debating whether to fund the Medicaid home-and-community-based services (HCBS) proposed authority (Better Care Better Jobs Act) at the initially proposed $400 billion or a reduced $100-$150 billion (or somewhere between). Available here is a Senate Select Committee on Aging staff memo explaining why $400 billion is necessary. […]
Medicare Coverage of Low Vision Aids and Medicare Vision Benefits
AAHD has joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition asking Congress to authorize low vision aids as a Medicare benefit, in the pending Budget Reconciliation legislation. The September 1 ITEM Coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
Congressional Recognition of CDC’s 75 Years
AAHD has supported a Congressional Resolution recognizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 75 years of contributions to the nation’s health. Available here are the remarks, with AAHD support, of Representative Nikema Williams (GA)and the text of the Con Res: PDF. […]
Medicare Home Health Payment Rules
AAHD has joined the Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) submitting comments to CMS on proposed Medicare home health payment rules. The August 27 CPR letter is here: PDF. […]
PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) – Comments on PCORI Proposed Priorities
PIPC (Partnership To Improve Patient Outcomes), a network that AAHD collaborates with, submitted comments to PCORI on PCORI’s proposed. The PCORI funded Disability Equity Collaborative issued a paper on outcomes priorities. Available here are the August 27 PIPC letter and August DEC paper. […]
Evaluating Disparities and Outcomes of Telehealth During COVID-19 (HR 4770)
AAHD has joined a Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) initiated letter supporting HR 4770 – telehealth disparities and outcomes. The August 23 letter to Congress is here: PDF. […]
NQF Final Interim Report on Patient-Reported Outcome Performance Measures (PRO-PMs) Respond to Disability Organizations
The National Quality Forum (NQF) publicly shared August 19 its final interim report on PRO-PMs. The report is intended to provide a step-by-step guide for measure developers. The focus is on PRO-PMs in CMS programs. A theme of the report – problematic to many in the HCBS field – is the focus on a “foundation” […]