The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) task Force on Social Security co-chairs have proposed further SSA policy and procedural changes in response to COVID-19. The April 17 CCD 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.
Disability Advocates Ask HHS and HHS OCR for Additional Non-Discrimination Guidance with COVID-19 Medical Decisions
AAHD has joined 400 organizations, convened by the American Association of People with Disabilities, asking HHS and HHS OCR for further guidance on COVID-19 medical decisions and non-discrimination. The April 16 letter and press release is available here: April 16 letter; Press Release. […]
Meaningful Medicaid Home-and-Community-Based Services Investment in Next COVID-19 Legislative Package
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on LTSS co-chairs, have written Congress outlining needed HCBS investments. AAHD is an active member of rhe CCD LTSS task force. The April 13 CCD letter is here: PDF. […]
Fund Behavioral Health Virtual Peer Support Programs
AAHD has joined the Mental Health Liaison Group asking Congress to fund virtual peer support programs. The April 7 letter is here: PDF. […]
Allowing SSI and VA Beneficiaries Who Do Not File Federal Tax Returns to Receive Immediate COVID-19 Payments
Members of Congress have written the Administration requesting immediate COVID-19 payments to persons on SSI and VA, who do not file federal income tax returns; the April 14 letter is here: PDF. […]
COVID-19 – Testing and Safety of Health Care and Essential Businesses Workers
AAHD has joined the National Safety Council requesting the Administration to give priority for COVID-19 testing to health care workers and essential business workers. The April 14 letter is here: PDF. […]
Emergency Department Use as a Possible Quality Measure for Integrated Physical Health-Behavioral Health Care
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have supported the thrust and theme of comments by No Health Without Mental Health submitted to the National Quality Forum on behavioral health draft quality measures. The April 12 & 13 AAHD-Lakeshore-and NHMH comments are here: Lakeshore; NHMH. […]
COVID-19 – Avoiding Aging, Disability and Other Forms of Discrimination
AAHD has joined a coalition led by the Alliance for Aging Research asking HHS and the HHS OCR to more proactively avoid discrimination in COVID-19 responses. The April 13 letter is here: PDF. […]
Evaluation Framework For Crisis Standards of Care Plans – Disability Advocates and COVID-19
Four leading national disability organizations have released an evaluation framework related to disability discrimination and COVID-19 crisis of care; the framework is here: PDF. […]
COVID-19: Requesting the President to Use the Defense Production Act for Personal Protective Equipment and Medical Supplies
AAHD has joined 70 organizations, led by the Human Rights Campaign, asking President Trump to use the DPA to produce and distribute needed PPE and medical supplies. The April 9 letter is here: PDF. […]