Resolving complaints against the state of Connecticut, the HHS Office of Civil Rights announced June 9 a policy of nondiscrimination and accommodation in hospital visit policies. Three national disability organizations and CT disabilities organizations brought the complaints. Available here are the June 9 OCR announcement and the June 9 statement of the Arc, CPR, 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.
COVID-19, Nursing Home Protection, Includes Disability Status Data Collection and Reporting
136 members of the US Senate and House wrote HHS and CMS detailing proposed protections of nursing home residents and staff. The letter calls on a COVID-19 data collection and reporting effort that includes disability status. The June 5 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicare Part D – “Protected Medications Classes” – Costs and Utilization Management
The Medicare Part D program attempts to “protect” from access barriers and high beneficiary out-of-pocket costs six therapeutic medication classes. These are important to many persons with disabilities. Available here are two studies, both funded by pharmaceutical companies – one on per-patient-per-month costs and the other on the impact of “utilization” management. […]
Serving Medicaid Eligible Children with Medically Complex Conditions – Across State Lines
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) submitting comments to CMS on their RFI on serving targeted children across state lines. The June 3 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Providers – Largely Dependent on Medicaid Revenue – Congressional Leaders Ask HHS To Release COVID-19 Relief Funds Promptly
The chairs and ranking members of the Senate Committee on Finance and House Energy and Commerce Committee have written HHS and CMS asking that emergency COVID-19 relief funds be released promptly, to Medicaid providers whose revenue is largely dependent on Medicaid. The June 3 Congressional letter is here: PDF. […]
Better Integration for Persons Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
AAHD and Lakeshore Foundation have submitted responses to the Bipartisan Policy Center white paper policy recommendations to better integrate program requirements, financing, benefits, and service delivery for persons dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Available here are the AAHD-Lakeshore comments and BPC policy recommendations paper. […]
COVID-19: Protecting the Health of Older Adults Legislation
AAHD has joined 40 organizations, led by TFAH, endorsing legislation by 4 House members (Frankel-FL; Bilirakis-FL; Dingell-MI; and Shalala-FL) to target federal resources to the health of older adults during the COVID-19 crisis. Available here are the TFAH fact sheet, listing the 40 organizations; the legislative text; and the press release of lead sponsor Representative […]
COVID-19: The Mental Health Ramifications
11 U.S. Senators have written the Administration requesting “full federal support” in dealing with the mental health ramifications of COVID-19. The May 21 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Nursing Home Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) – CMS Rules Would Weaken ADA and Olmstead Protections (Part 2)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation joint comments to CMS were posted on this web page May 19. Available here are the comments to CMS by (1) Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on LTSS, co-chairs, (2) National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services(NASDDDS), and (3) National Association of State Mental Health […]
Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program – Senate Legislation
AAHD has joined a NACCHO led coalition thanking Senators Smith (MN) and Booker (NJ) for introducing the public health workforce support program, that previously passed the House. Available here are the May 26 letter and a May 22 infographic on the need for the program and list of organizational supporters. […]