AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 400 organizations led by AAPD (American Association of People with Disabilities) letter to Congress expressing dismay at HHS proposals to eliminate ACL, undermine OCR, and merge SAMHSA. The March 28 AAPD led 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.
HHS Announced HHS Restructuring, Elimination of ACL (Administration for Community Living), Creation of Administration for a Healthy America, Merging HRSA-SAMHSA-AHRQ-Others – Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD)
AAHD is an active member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD). Available here is the March 28 CCD task force co-chairs statement on the dismantling of ACL; merger folding of SAMHSA; and undermining of OCR: PDF. […]
HHS Announced HHS Restructuring, Elimination of ACL (Administration for Community Living), Creation of Administration for a Healthy America, Merging HRSA-SAMHSA-AHRQ-Others – Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition
AAHD, a steering committee member, has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) submitting comments to the HHS Secretary on the restructuring plan that would eliminate ACL. The March 27 HHS press release and HHS fact sheet, and, the March 28 DRRC letter are here: HHS Reorg Fact Sheet – March 27, 2025 HHS […]
Veterans Sports and Recreation – Prostheses Support – HR 1971
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Independence Through Enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid (ITEM) Coalition support of legislation (HR 1971) supporting prostheses for veterans to participate in sports and recreation. The March 25 letter is here: PDF. […]
Concerns with Developments at the Social Security Administration (SSA) – Impact on Persons with Disabilities
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on Social Security, led by the Arc, letter to Congress expressing concerns with recent developments at the Social Security Administration (SSA) impacts on persons with disabilities. The March 20 letter is here: PDF. […]
Proposed New NCQA HEDIS Measures (2)– Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined the Partnership To Align Social Care submission supporting three proposed National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) proposed Healthcare Effectiveness and Data Information Set (HEDIS) measures on health-related social needs (HRSNs). The three HRSNs measures are: (1) Social Determinants of Health Risk Assessment, as proof of completing an HRSN […]
NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research – Three AAHD Submissions – Includes Disability Data Importance
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted direct comments; and, AAHD has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) submitting comments to the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research draft framework. AAHD is a DRRC steering committee member. The AAHD and Lakeshore submission expands on the importance of disability data. AAHD is also […]
Raise the SSI Savings Assets Limit– First Time in Nearly 40 Years
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 238 organizations, led by the Arc, supporting Congressional co-sponsors planned legislation to increase the savings assets limit for recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The limits were last updated in 1989 (nearly 40 years ago). The co-sponsors will use the advocacy letter and one-pager to attract other co-sponsors. […]
Protecting Medicaid and SNAP for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Diseases (ADRD)
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have joined 150 organizations, led by the Alliance for Aging Research, letter to Congress on protecting Medicaid and SNAP for persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Diseases (ADRD). The February 27 letter is here: PDF. […]
HHS Proposed Limitations in Federal Rule Making – National Health Council Letter To HHS
The National Health Council (NHC) has written the HHS Secretary requesting that HHS enhance, not reduce, public participation and public engagement in rulemaking. AAHD is a NHC member. The March 7 NHC letter to HHS is here: PDF. […]