The Coalition To Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR) , a coalition that AAHD participates in, steering committee has responded to a HHS and CMS RFI describing modifications in Medicare policies related to rehabilitation therapy, rehabilitation hospitals, telehealth, skilled nursing homes, and maintenance therapy. The CPR steering committee December 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.
Improving Health Insurance “Prior Authorization” Transparency and Processes
Using a National Health Council guidance, AAHD has joined the Lakeshore Foundation submitting comments to CMS on proposed rules to improve the “prior authorization” process. AAHD is a NHC member. The December 30 AAHD-Lakeshore comments are here: PDF. […]
Behavioral Health Policy Recommendations Submitted to Biden Transition Team
The Coalition for Whole Health (CWH) submitted comments to the Biden Transition team. AAHD is a CWH member and several AAHD recommendations are included in the document. The December 23 CWH statement is here: PDF. […]
COVID Vaccinations – Include On-Site Medical Signed-Language Interpreters
AAHD has joined the American Translators Association requesting that on-site medical interpreters be considered a COVID-19 vaccine priority. The December 16 letter is here: PDF. […]
Advocating Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) COVID Relief Act (S. 4947 and HR 8871)
AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC) asking Congress to include Medicaid HCBS supports in any COVID relief legislation. The December 7 letter is here: PDF. […]
Advocating Extension of the COVID-19 Federal Eviction Moratorium
AAHD has joined 1,545 organizations, led by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, asking Congress to immediately extend and enforce the CDC eviction moratorium. The December 17 letter is here: PDF. […]
Transforming Mental Health and Substance Use Care: A Unified Vision
CEOs of 14 leading behavioral health organizations have issued a unified call for transforming care. The combined press release is here: https://wellbeingtrust.org/news/ceos-from-14-top-mental-health-organizations-join-together/ The vision statement is here: PDF. […]
Medical Expense Deduction – Federal Income Tax – Advocacy with the U.S. Congress
AAHD has joined 51 organizations, led by AARP, asking Congress for the permanent extension of the 7.5% medical expense deduction. The December 14 letter to Congress is here: PDF. […]
320 Organizations to President-Elect Biden – Addressing Pressing Health Care Needs as an Administration Priority
AAHD has joined 320 organizations, led by Families USA, requesting President-Elect Biden and his transition team to make pressing health care needs an Administration priority. The December 10 letter is here: PDF. […]
Sunsetting (Terminating Automatically) HHS Rules After 10 Years From Date of Publication (4) – Disability (2)
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Forces on Health and LTSS co-chairs submitted comments to an HHS proposed rule to automatically terminate (Sunset) all HHS rules after 10 years from their date of publication unless a through and complete review has been completed. The December 4 CCD comments are here: PDF. […]