CVS Health partners with disability community on equitable healthcare access
CVS Health, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and the National Council on Independent Living are working together to make a difference.
The company and organizations are working to seek policy solutions to protect equitable access to health care for all Americans and continue to protect the fundamental rights of people with disabilities.
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“We have a long track record of supporting the essential and foundational legal protections for people with disabilities and ensuring that marginalized populations can access affordable health care and medicines in their community,” said David Casey, senior vice president, workforce strategies and chief diversity officer at CVS Health. “Our agreement to pursue policy solutions in collaboration with the disability community will help protect access to affordable health plan programs that apply equally to all members. As a result, we will not pursue the matter further before the Supreme Court.”
“CVS Health engaged in an honest dialogue with disability community representatives and listened carefully to our concerns about what was at stake for disabled people with the question before the Supreme Court,” said Judith Heumann, a long time disability activist and leader featured in the popular documentary Crip Camp about the disability rights movement.
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Heumann and others, including disability law expert Chai Feldblum and the Bazelon Center’s Jennifer Mathis, took part in the discussions with CVS Health. “We look forward to continuing this important work in partnership and thank CVS Health for its commitment to preserving disability rights.”
“Hard-fought progress has been preserved today through dialogue and partnership between advocates and CVS Health,” Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities said. “We look forward to working collaboratively with CVS Health to find solutions that will ensure that health benefits are equally available and affordable to people with disabilities.”