This press release was first issued by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) on April 14, 2021. 

Washington, D.C. – We are pleased to join the more than 80 organizations that signed a letter calling on policymakers to reject health policies that discriminate. Every life is valuable. We strongly urge policymakers to reject policies that discriminate against people with disabilities and chronic conditions, older adults, and reinforce health inequities.

PIPC is proud to have joined over 80 organizations in an open letter calling on policymakers to reject health policies that discriminate. Every life is valuable. We strongly urge policymakers to reject policies that discriminate against people with disabilities and chronic conditions, older adults, and reinforce health inequities

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. NCD Chair: To Improve Care for People with Disabilities, Confront the QALY, click here to read the blog post.
2. States Rely on Template Legislation that References ICER and Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
3. Sickle Cell Mom: 'Cost Effectiveness' Does Not Consider Personal, Economic Burdens, click here to read the article.
4. IVI Webinar Series: Toward Equity in Value Assessment, see details below.
5. Emerging Threats in States like CO, ND, and ME for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
6. THIS WEDNESDAY: 2021 AUCD Virtual Gala, click here to learn more and register.
7. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
8. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
9. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Myasthenia Gravis, Atopic Dermatitis, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
10. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
11. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
12. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. NCD Chair: To Improve Care for People with Disabilities, Confront the QALY, click here to read the blog post.
2. Sickle Cell Mom: 'Cost Effectiveness' Does Not Consider Personal, Economic Burdens, click here to read the article.
3. TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE: PCORI Board Approves Principles for Considering the Full Range of Outcomes Data, see details below.
4. Senate HELP Committee Discusses International Pricing, Germany and Health Technology Assessment, see details below.
5. Inside Health Policy: PIPC Reminds Democrats They Promised Not to Use QALYs, click here to read the article (subscription required).
6. IVI Webinar Series: Toward Equity in Value Assessment, see details below.
7. Emerging Threats in States like CO, ND, and ME for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
8. 2021 AUCD Virtual Gala, click here to learn more and register.
9. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
10. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
11. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Myasthenia Gravis, Atopic Dermatitis, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
12. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
13. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
14. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week's Issue

1. Senate HELP Committee Discusses International Pricing, Germany and Health Technology Assessment, see details below.
2. Inside Health Policy: PIPC Reminds Democrats They Promised Not to Use QALYs, click here to read the article (subscription required).
3. Patient and Disability Stakeholders Applaud the PCORI Board for Approving Principles for Considering the Full Range of Outcomes Data, click here to read the full statement.
4. National Health Council Statement on PCORI Guiding Principles, see details below.
5. CLOSING WEDNESDAY: PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
6. IVI Webinar Series: Toward Equity in Value Assessment, see details below.
7. Emerging Threats in States like CO, ND, and ME for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
8. 2021 AUCD Virtual Gala, click here to learn more and register.
9. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
10. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more
11. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Myasthenia Gravis, Atopic Dermatitis, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
12. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
13. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
14. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below. 

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. Patient and Disability Stakeholders Applaud the PCORI Board for Approving Principles for Considering the Full Range of Outcomes Data, click here to read the full statement.
2. National Health Council Statement on PCORI Guiding Principles, see details below.
3. CLOSING MARCH 31: PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
4. IVI Webinar Series: Toward Equity in Value Assessment, see details below.
5. President Biden Appoints First White House Disability Policy Director, click here to read more about the appointment.
6. Emerging Threats in States like CO, ND, and ME for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
7. TOMORROW: PCORI Virtual Briefing on COVID-19 & Telehealth, click here to learn more and register.
8. 2021 AUCD Virtual Gala, click here to learn more and register.
9. TOMORROW: EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases Rare on the Road Leadership Tour, see details below.
10. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
11. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
12. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Myasthenia Gravis, Atopic Dermatitis, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
13. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
14. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
15. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. IfPA Blog: When Economists Decide Heart Patients' Fate, click here to read the blog post.
2. President Biden Appoints First White House Disability Policy Director, click here to read more about the appointment.
3. Drug Pricing Policy Must Prioritize Patients, click here to read the op-ed.
4. NYT: How America’s Vaccine System Makes People With Health Problems Fight for a Place in Line, click here to view the article. 
5. Emerging Threats in States like CO, ND, and ME for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
6. PCORI Virtual Briefing on COVID-19 & Telehealth, click here to learn more and register.
7. 2021 AUCD Virtual Gala, click here to learn more and register.
8. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases Rare on the Road Leadership Tour, see details below.
9. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
10. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
11. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
12. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Atopic Dermatitis, Treatments, High Cholesterol, Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
13. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
14. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
15. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. Drug Pricing Policy Must Prioritize Patients, click here to read the op-ed.
2. IfPA Blog: When Economists Decide Heart Patients' Fate, click here to read the blog post.
3. NCD Calls on HHS to Strengthen Rights and Protections for People with Disabilities in Letter, click here to read the letter.
4. PIPC Joins 30 Leading Disability and Civil Rights Stakeholders in Letter Asking HHS to Step Up Nondiscrimination Efforts, click here to read the letter.
5. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
6. PCORI Virtual Briefing on COVID-19 & Telehealth, click here to learn more and register.
7. 2021 AUCD Virtual Gala, click here to learn more and register.
8. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases Rare on the Road Leadership Tour, see details below.
9. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
10. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
11. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
12. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Atopic Dermatitis, Treatments, High Cholesterol, Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
13. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
14. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
15. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. NCD Calls on HHS to Strengthen Rights and Protections for People with Disabilities in Letter, click here to read the letter.
2. PIPC Joins 30 Leading Disability and Civil Rights Stakeholders in Letter Asking HHS to Step Up Nondiscrimination Efforts, click here to read the letter.
3. Chairman's Corner: CBO Confirms Use of Discriminatory Metrics in H.R. 3, see details below.
4. PCORI Virtual Briefing on COVID-19 & Telehealth, click here to learn more and register.
5. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
6. 2021 AUCD Virtual Gala, click here to learn more and register.
7. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases Report on the Economic Burden of Rare Diseases in America and the Rare on the Road Leadership Tour, see details below.
8. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
9. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
10. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
11. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Atopic Dermatitis, Treatments, High Cholesterol, Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
12. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
13. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
14. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. PIPC Joins 30 Leading Disability and Civil Rights Stakeholders in Letter Asking HHS to Step Up Nondiscrimination Efforts, click here to read the letter.
2. Chairman's Corner: CBO Confirms Use of Discriminatory Metrics in H.R. 3, see details below.
3. PIPC Congratulates Andy Imparato on Appointment to COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, click here to view the announcement.
4. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
5. 2021 AUCD Virtual Gala, click here to learn more and register.
6. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases Report on the Economic Burden of Rare Diseases in America and the Rare on the Road Leadership Tour, see details below.
7. Pharmacy Benefit Managers Push for QALYs in Medicare Despite Implications for Discrimination, see details below.
8. IVI Webinar on Principles for Good Value Assessment, click here to register and to learn more.
9. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
10. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
11. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
12. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Atopic Dermatitis, Treatments, High Cholesterol, Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
13. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
14. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
15. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. Chairman's Corner: CBO Confirms Use of Discriminatory Metrics in H.R. 3, see details below.
2. PIPC Congratulates Andy Imparato on Appointment to COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, click here to view the announcement.
3. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
4. Op-Ed: Washington State Bill Includes Group Known for Discriminatory Practices, click here to read the full op-ed.
5. EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases Report on the Economic Burden of Rare Diseases in America and the Rare on the Road Leadership Tour, see details below.
6. Op-Ed: The Biden Administration Needs to Look Beyond ICER for Value Assessment, click here to read the op-ed.
7. Pharmacy Benefit Managers Push for QALYs in Medicare Despite Implications for Discrimination, see details below.
8. IVI Webinar on Principles for Good Value Assessment, click here to register and to learn more.
9. Vaccination Equity and Communication, see details below.
10. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
11. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
12. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Atopic Dermatitis, Treatments, High Cholesterol, Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
13. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
14. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
15. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. New CBO Working Paper Confirms How QALYs Used in the 2019 H.R. 3 Bill, see details below.
2. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
3. Pharmacy Benefit Managers Push for QALYs in Medicare Despite Implications for Discrimination, see details below.
4. IVI Webinar on Principles for Good Value Assessment, click here to register and to learn more.
5. 60 Patient and Disability Groups Join PIPC in Comment Letter to HHS Opposing Most Favored Nations Rule, see details below.
6. COVID-19 Response for Vulnerable Patients, see details below.
7. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
8. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
9. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Atopic Dermatitis, Treatments, High Cholesterol, Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
10. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
11. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
12. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.  

In This Week’s Issue:
 
1. 60 Patient and Disability Groups Join PIPC in Comment Letter to HHS Opposing Most Favored Nations Rule, see details below.
2. Emerging Threats in States for Use of Discriminatory Metrics, see details below.
3. ICER Hosts Public Meeting for its Assessment of Treatments for High Cholesterol, see details below.
4. IVI Welcomes New Chief Scientific Officer, see details below.
5. NCD Letter on 'Most Favored Nations' Rule, click here to read the letter.
6. COVID-19 Response for Vulnerable Patients, see details below.
7. PCORI Seeks Nominations for Advisory Panels, click here to learn more, submit a nomination, or apply to be on an advisory panel.
8. International News: What Happens in Countries Using QALYs and Cost-Based Thresholds to Determine Coverage? See below for more.
9. ICER's QALY-Based Study Topics: Atopic Dermatitis, Treatments, High Cholesterol, Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease, Lupus Nephritis, Multiple Myeloma, Alzheimer's Disease, click here to provide patient input.
10. Upcoming Events and Webinars, see details below.
11. Medical Journal Articles, see details below.
12. AHRQ Effective Program Updates, see details below.