Available here are the April 30 Coalition To End Social Isolation and Loneliness COVID-19 recommendations: 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.
Disability Community – CMS Nursing Home Initiatives Should Include All Congregate Settings and Recognize Olmstead ADA
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Task Force on LTSS co-chairs wrote HHS-CMS-ACL asking that the new CMS nursing home initiatives address all congregate settings. AAHD is an active CCD LTSS member. The co-chairs also reminded the Administration of ADA Olmstead rights. The May 5 letter is here: PDF. […]
Advocating COVID-19 Detailed Demographic Data Including Disability Status
AAHD has joined 250 organizations, led by the Trust for America’s Health and the Asian-Pacific Islander Health Forum, calling on Congress and HHS to collect, analyze, and publicly report detailed disaggregated demographic data on COVID-19,. Including disability status. The May 4 letters to Congress and HHS are here: Congress; HHS. […]
Disability Community Writes Nation’s Governors on Hospital Visitation Policies During COVID-19
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has written the nation’s governors on hospitalization visitation policies. The April 29 letter is here: PDF. […]
Legislative Assistance to Non-Profit Organizations During COVID-19
Led by Representatives Moulton (D-MA) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA), 142 House members, endorsed by many of the nation’s largest non-profit organizations, have written Congress requesting that the next COVID-19 legislation include assistance to non-profit organizations. The April 29 letter is here: PDF. […]
Requiring ERISA Employer Health Insurance Plans To Cover Telehealth During COVID-19 Crisis
AAHS has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) asking Congress in the next COVID-19 legislative package to require ERISA employer health insurance plans to include telehealth services. The April 30 MHLG letter is here: PDF. […]
27 US Senators Advocate COVID-19 Funding for Nonprofits and Targeted Appropriations Including ACL Programs
Twenty-seven US Senators, led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), have written Senate leaders requesting increases in targeted appropriations, including programs of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), to assist non-profit organizations. 53 non-profits organizations have endorsed the letter. Available here are the April 27 Senate letter and the list of nonprofits. […]
More Effectively Integrating Physical Health and Substance Abuse Disorder Medical Records
AAHD has joined the Partnership To Amend 42 CFR Part 2 requesting HHS for expedited rules to implement a CARES Act (COVID-19 legislation) provision to better integrate physical health and SUD medical records. The April 28 letter is here: PDF. […]
COVID-19- Disability Civil Rights Leaders Call on HHS-CDC-CMS To Collect Disability Data
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on Rights, cochairs, sent the April 27 letter here: PDF. […]
Supporting the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA)
On April 28, the Congressional Tri-Caucus (Black; Hispanic; CAPAC) will introduce the 2020 version of HEAA. AAHD is a supporter of the legislation. Available here are the organizational letter of support, HEAA fact sheet, and HEAA section-by-section analysis. […]