AAHD has joined 118 national organizations, led by Academy Health and the Friends of AHRQ, requesting Congressional appropriations committees to adequately fund AHRQ. The February 22 letters to the House and Senate are here: House letter; Senate letter. […]
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 Disparities – Recommendations for Research in Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation
AAHD has joined the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) recommending to HHS proposals to counter COVID-19 related disparities. The February 19 letter is here: PDF. […]
Maintaining Medicare Part D Medication Clinical “Protected Classes”
AAHD has joined the Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) Coalition opposing a last minute Trump Administration announced Medicare Part D formulary change that would erode the clinical “protected classes.” The Feb 15 letter is here: PDF. […]
COVID-19 Congressional Relief Legislation – Health Insurance and Medicaid Coverage Advocacy
AAHD has joined a FUSA and Community Catalyst led 221 organizations coalition letter to Congress asking that 4 health insurance including ACA and 3 Medicaid coverage provisions be included in the COVID-19 Congressional relief legislation. The Feb 18 coalition letter is here: PDF. […]
COVID-19 Congressional Relief Legislation – Enhancing Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS) – (Continued)
23 U.S. Senators have written their colleagues supporting the House Energy and Commerce Committee recommended increase in federal Medicaid matching for HCBS as part of the COVID-19 Relief Legislation. Available here are the February 17 letter by 23 Senators and the Senator Hassan (NH) press release on their effort. […]
Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccines to Persons with Disabilities
Available here is the February 9 National Council on Disability (NCD) letter to the National Governors’ Association (NGA) on equitable allocation of COVID-19 vaccines to persons with disabilities: PDF. […]
COVID-19 Congressional Relief Legislation – US House of Representatives – Federal Assistance to State and Local Governments (Continued)
Available here are the Feb 12 Congressional Budget Office summary and budget estimates of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform reported COVID-19 federal assistance to state and local governments: PDF. […]
COVID-19 Congressional Relief Legislation – House Medicaid and Public Health Provisions & Budget Estimates
Available here are the Feb 14 Congressional Budget Office summary and budget estimates of the House Energy and Commerce Committee reported Medicaid and Public Health COVID-19 relief provisions: PDF. […]
Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure
AAHD has joined 310 organizations, led by TFAH and 6 other national PH organizations, requesting Congress to permanently strength the nation’s PH infrastructure. The February 12 coalition letter is here: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure. […]
COVID-19 Congressional Relief Legislation – Enhancing Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services (HCBS)
The House Energy and Commerce Committee COVID-19 relief package fact sheet (posted AAHD Feb 11) summarizes the proposed temporary Medicaid match rate (FMAP) increase of 7.35% for HCBS services for one year. On the Senate side, 31 U.S. Senators wrote the President expressing their support for a strengthened Medicaid HCBS program. Available here is the […]