NACDD has submitted a response to a comment period proposing changes to expand telehealth permanently. The proposed rule would extend the availability of certain telemedicine services after the PHE ends, giving Medicare beneficiaries more convenient ways to access healthcare, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare providers may otherwise be limited.This is an important area for cardiovascular health (CVH) and diabetes management and prevention, and it has implications across the management of chronic disease, health equity, and access to care. 
 
NACDD’s CVH, Diabetes, and Health Equity Councils worked together to submit a response.NACDD showed its support for the proposed rule, increasing use of telemedicine and telehealth during the PHE and the many changes to expand telehealth permanently. These changes will support access and convenience of care for Medicare beneficiaries and also impact how care is delivered through the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program. The draft comments also call on CMS to ensure that the implementation of expanded telehealth services will help to narrow the gaps on health disparities while, at the same time, will not perpetuate other existing systemic health inequities that make it difficult for some populations—especially low income, low literacy, and Black, indigenous, Spanish-speaking and other communities of color populations—to access and use the technology.

Read more from the October 2020 issue of Impact Brief below.

• NACDD Submits Comments on Expanding Telehealth Benefits
  NACDD has submitted a response to a comment period proposing changes to expand telehealth permanently. The proposed rule would extend the availability of certain telemedicine services after the PHE ends, giving Medicare beneficiaries more convenient ways to access healthcare, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare providers may otherwise be limited.This is an important… Read more: NACDD Submits Comments on Expanding Telehealth Benefits
• 2020 ECHO Clinics Focused on Public Health Practitioners Leading in a Time of Crisis
  NACDD continues to offer a leadership opportunity called ECHO® Clinics for state Chronic Disease Directors to engage in peer-to-peer conversations contributing to emerging issues in public health that impact states. These clinics provide a “case management” focus to select topics and allow for in-depth discussion by the participants. The clinics leverage ECHO hub-and-spoke connectivity technology and… Read more: 2020 ECHO Clinics Focused on Public Health Practitioners Leading in a Time of Crisis
• Successes Among Arthritis Work
  Arthritis continues to affect about one in four adults in the United States or more than 54 million people. Physical activity is an important management technique for arthritis and other chronic conditions. By implementing low cost, evidence-based, self-management programs like Walk With Ease, people with arthritis and other chronic conditions will experience increased balance and strength,… Read more: Successes Among Arthritis Work
• Preventing Diabetes One State at a Time Adds Up for Collective Impact
  The new Collective Impact in Action report provides a look at the longstanding impact of the NACDD/CDC State Engagement Model on scaling and sustaining the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) across the states. The report also features an in-depth look at the important work of 14 states that have participated in the model and offers a rich… Read more: Preventing Diabetes One State at a Time Adds Up for Collective Impact
• From the CEO – October 2020 Impact Brief
  NACDD Among Atlanta’s 75 Largest Nonprofits; Board President’s Challenge Aligns With Association’s Commitment to Advance Racial Equity As NACDD moves into our new fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, we are excited about the Association’s continued growth and new opportunities to support our Mission. At a time when many Chronic Disease Units are experiencing significant challenges… Read more: From the CEO – October 2020 Impact Brief