AAHD has joined a coalition, led by APIAHF, asking Congress to enact programs to overcome language and communications barriers to COVID-19 knowledge, testing, and treatment. The July 23 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.
Medicare Telehealth Expansions Released – Discussion Draft
House Republicans on the House Committee on Ways and Means have released a discussion draft legislation to expand telehealth under Medicare. Available here are the legislative text and the section-by-section summary. […]
Congressional COVID-19 Package – Community Disability Provider Recommendations
Available here is the July 21 community disability providers Congressional COVID-19 recommendations: PDF. […]
Increasing Behavioral Health Financial Investments To Address Systemic Inequities (H. Res. 1057) (Part 2) – integrated Delivery
RE: Previously posted Rep Kennedy H. Res. 1057: AAHD has joined 4 national organizations endorsing proposals by No Health Without Mental Health (NHMH) for a bolder vision and strategy to integrate behavioral health-general health-primary care than currently contained in H. Res. 1057. Page 14, lines 9-10 of H. Res. 1057 states: “mental health and physical […]
Increasing Behavioral Health Financial Investments To Address Systemic Inequities (H. Res. 1057)
AAHD has joined Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) members endorsing a Representative Joe Kennedy (D-MA) and colleagues behavioral health financial investment resolution. Available here is the legislative text of H. Res. 1057 and Rep. Kennedy’s July 21 press release which lists endorsing organizations, including AAHD. […]
Medicare Part D Medications – Need To Lower Out-of-Pocket Obligations – Now
AAHD has joined the Loop Project (Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs), led by the Alliance for Aging Research, asking Congress to lower Medicare Part D medication consumer obligations – now. The July 20 letter is here: PDF. […]
Medicaid State Drug Utilization and Value-Based Purchasing – Disability Community Comments
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Force on Health co-chairs, submitted comments to CMS on the Medicaid state drug program purchasing; the July 20 comments are here: PDF. […]
COVID-19 Patient Data Collection and Analysis – Don’t By-Pass CDC (2)
Available here is the July 17 Senate Democrats letter to the Administration Coronavirus Task Force asking that CDC’s role on the collection, analysis, and public reporting be maintained: PDF. […]
COVID-19 Patient Data Collection and Analysis – Don’t By-Pass CDC
AAHD has joined a coalition of public health and disease society organizations asking the Administration to reverse its decision to by-pass CDC in COVID-19 patient data collection and analysis. The coalition was led by The Infectious Diseases Society of America, HIV Medicine Association, American Society for Microbiology and American Public Health Association. The July 17 […]
Medicare Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES)
AAHD has joined a large coalition, led by the Medicare Rights Center, making Medicare enrollment less complicated. The BENES legislation is included in the House Energy and Commerce Committee “manager’s amendment.” Available here are the July 15 advocates letter and the July 17 House amendment text. […]