NCD calls for health care reform for people with disabilities.(National Council on Disability)

As Congress pushes forward its debate on health care reform, the National Council on Disability (NCD) last week released a report calling on lawmakers and the country to focus attention on the health care disparities experienced by people with disabilities, including those with a mental health issue, particularly in the areas of health coverage, research and the need for a professionally trained workforce.

The 400-plus page report, "The Current State of Health Care for People with Disabilities," offers a broad range of recommendations for reforms that will address significant obstacles to health, health care, disease prevention, and health promotions for people with disabilities.

According to the report, most federally funded health disparities research does not recognize and include people with disabilities as a disparity population.