AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) seeking $4.5 billion in next year’s funding for mental health and substance use SAMHSA program funding. The August 28 letter 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.
County & City Health Depts Request CDC To Reverse Its COVID Testing Guidelines
NACCHO and the Big Cities Health Coalition have written CDC and HHS asking that CDC reverse its August 24 COVID testing guidelines. The August 28 county and city health depts letter is here: The August 24 CDC guideline announced change is here: PDF. […]
Strengthening Mental Health Supports for Historically Ignored Communities
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group supporting legislation by Reps Cardenas (CA) and Bernice Johnson (TX) to strengthen mental health supports for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Available here are the Cardenas-Johnson August 27 press releaseand legislative text. […]
Disability Community Provider Associations Request Delay in Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) Rules
The August 13 letter to CMS is here: PDF. […]
Medicare and Medicaid Home Health Payments – Concerns
The Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation has expressed concerns with two CMS proposed home health payment rules – telehealth inadvertently harming in-person care and use of “Patient-Driven Groupings Model.” The August 24 CPR letter is here: PDF. […]
CMS Affirms Medicare Tele-Health Services Including Audio-Only Support
CMS Administrator has responded to Senators Smith (MN) and Cassidy (LA) explaining CMS temporary and interim Medicare tele-health policies. The August 6 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Support for Those Being Released from Jails and Prisons
AAHD has joined a Legal Action Center led letter to Congress supporting Medicaid support 30 days prior to release and 30 days after reentry to jail and prison. The August 14 letter, focused on mental health and substance use treatment, is here: PDF. […]
The Integration of Substance Use Disorder and General Health/Primary Care Medical Records
The COVID-19 CARES act improved the integration of substance use disorder medical records (42 CFR, Part 2) and general health/primary care (HIPAA). On August 12, the APA (psychiatry)-AAAP-+ ASAM conducted a webinar on the new rules. The webinar slides are here: PDF. […]
Medicaid Maintenance of Effort (MOE) – Explained
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) has issued a brief explaining Medicaid MOE and the impact of possible proposed changes. The August 10 brief is here: PDF. […]
Senate Legislation Would Waive Co-Pays for COVID-19 Vaccines
Senator Tina Smith (MN), with the co-sponsorship of Senators Harris (CA) and Bennet (CO), have introduced legislation that would waive insurance co-cays for COVID-19 vaccines. AAHD supports the legislation. Senator Smith’s Aug 11 press release is here: PDF. […]