Congress is struggling to agree on funding for the federal government beyond December 20, when the temporary funding measure expires. It is unclear whether there will be resolution on legislation to address the thorny issues of surprise medical billing and prescription drug prices. The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee is looking for new non-federal members, and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) is seeking input on the challenges faced by family caregivers, which will be used to assist the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council in developing its initial report to Congress and to inform the development of the national family caregiving strategy. (See “Your Input Sought” below.) Read about these topics and more in this week’s Update.
An article that you might want to share with policy-makers and others to help them understand the need for assistance in navigating the health care system: Medicaid Covers Sick or Dying Children. But It Takes ‘Going to Battle’ to Get It (STAT’s First Opinion, 12/2/19).
Encourage confidence to act