by David Heymsfeld, AAPD Policy Advisor “Open microphone”
meetings are being convened in major cities by the US Department
of Health & Human Services. These forums enable advocates and
others interested in the implementation of the Affordable Care
Act to comment in-person on the essential health benefits (EHB)
– the core of health services which must be provided in health
plans available through health insurance exchanges starting in
2014. The purpose of the meetings is to get public input on the
requirements established by the 2010 health care reform act for
the health care services which must be covered by health
insurance (“essential benefits”) AAPD suggests that persons
appearing at these hearings discuss specific services which they
believe must be covered, based on their own knowledge and
experience. The types of services which could be discussed
include: - services needed to enable persons with significant
disabilities to learn or keep the skills and functions needed
for independent living and working