{"id":266943,"date":"2022-04-27T10:42:35","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T15:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=266943"},"modified":"2022-04-26T13:28:23","modified_gmt":"2022-04-26T18:28:23","slug":"cms-revises-discriminatory-policy-disabilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/cms-revises-discriminatory-policy-disabilities\/","title":{"rendered":"After backlash, CMS revises discriminatory policy against people with disabilities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their revised coverage policy for a new Alzheimer\u2019s treatment, Aduhelm, on April 7. Their initial proposal, released in January<\/a>,\u00a0excluded people with Down syndrome<\/a> and other intellectual disabilities, a group at high risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s. In response to backlash from the disability community, the policy was revised.<\/p>\n

There has been much controversy over this novel Alzheimer\u2019s therapy, with concerns<\/a> about its effectiveness, as well as potential side effects. Citing these concerns, CMS has said that it will only cover the cost of Aduhelm for those who are involved in clinical trials. The initial decision not to provide coverage for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities would have created even more barriers to their involvement in trials, continuing a discriminatory practice.<\/p>\n

After the exclusion of people with Down syndrome was made public, the disability community quickly mobilized, launching a joint effort<\/a> to fight back, and ensure equality for all in medicine. “This collaboration among national Down syndrome organizations is particularly important given how prevalent Alzheimer\u2019s disease is in our community,\u201d a coalition spokesperson said in January. \u201cBy working together, we\u2019re able to bring the expertise of each organization together to mobilize self-advocates, families, caregivers, medical professionals, and the general public to push for inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome in this critical process.”<\/p>\n

READ: World Health Organization social media post lists Down syndrome as a birth defect to be \u2018prevented\u2019<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n