AAHD has joined the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC) asking Congress to include Medicaid home-and-community-based-services (HCBS) financial relief in the Congressional COVID-19 Relief package. The HCBS relief legislation is S. 151 and HR 525. The February 2 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.
National Data Strategy for Public Health
AAHD and the Lakeshore Foundation have submitted a statement of general support for a proposed public health statistics legislation. The legislation is encouraged by the Friends of the National Center on Health Statistics (NCHS). Available here are: (1) AAHD-Lakeshore Feb 2 statement; (2) Health Statistics Act one pager; and (3) Health Statistics Act legislative text. […]
Integrating Substance Use Disorder and General Health Medical Records
The Partnership To Amend 42 CFR Part 2 submitted comments to the Biden Adm HHS transition on integrating SUD and general health medical records. AAHD is a Partnership member. The January 8 Partnership letter is here: PDF. […]
Social Determinants of Health Legislation Introduced in the House
AAHD has joined over 300 organizations, led by TFAH, endorsing legislation whose lead sponsor is Rep Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA) – the SDOH Act of 2021. The Jan 21 fact sheet on the legislation, which includes the 300+ organizations, is here: PDF. […]
Extending the Federal Moratorium on Evictions During COVID-19
AAHD has joined over 2,000 organizations, led the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, asking the incoming Biden Administration to extend the evictions moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic. The January 15 letter is here: PDF. […]
Communication Equity Call To Action – To the Biden Transition Team
AAHD has joined a coalition led by Communication First, calling on the Biden Transition Team to make communication equity a priority. The January 14 letter is here: PDF. […]
AAHD joins letter raising concerns about 2022 NBPP
AAHD has joined 23 other organizations as part of the I Am Essential coalition in raising concerns with the proposed Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for the 2022 plan year. The I Am Essential letter is available here: PDF. […]
Making COVID-19 Medicare and Medicaid Telehealth Policies “Permanent”
The Mental Health Liaison Group (MHLG) leadership has written HHS requesting that Medicare and Medicaid telehealth policy changes be made permanent. The December 24 letter shared an October 5 MHLG sign-on letter, which includes MHLG member AAHD. The two letters are here: December. 24; October 5. […]
CMS Reductions in Medicaid Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Will Harm Persons with Disabilities and HCBS Services (2)
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Task Forces on Health and LTSS co-chairs, have submitted comments to CMS objecting to proposals to reduce Medicaid MOE requirements while COVID-19 continues to threated the health, wellness, and community living integration of persons with disabilities. AAHD is active in these CCD task forces. AAHD and the Lakeshore […]
CDC Response to Public Health Community on Actionable COVID-19 Testing Guidelines
In response to a Trust for America’s Health led coalition September 3 letter, that included AAHD, CDC has clarified current thinking about COVID-19 testing. Available here are the January 4 CDC letter and the Sept 3 TFAH coalition letter. […]