WORTH REPEATING: State Strategies for Shared Plans of Care to Improve Care Coordination for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (National Academy for State Health Policy, 10/29/18)  Proposed rule on immigrant “Public Charge” determinations Please see the...

Your Input Sought Nominations Sought for Federal Family Caregiving Advisory Council – due Dec. 3 The Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) has posted a Notice requesting nominations for individuals to serve on the Family Caregiving Advisory Council, which was...

2019 Open Enrollment Runs from November 1 through December 15, 2018 Plans sold during Open Enrollment start January 1, 2019. After December 15, consumers can enroll in 2019 health insurance only if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Federal Health Insurance...

NEW Guardianship: Consider the Alternatives Wednesday, October 31, 12:00-1:00 pm ET Vermont Family Network NEW The NIH All of Us Research Program and Precision Medicine: Reflections from a Rural State Wednesday, October 31, 2:00-3:30 pm ET University of Montana Rural...

New HRSA Data Website The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has unveiled a new data and information website at https://data.hrsa.gov/. The website user can find health centers and health shortage areas, and can obtain fact sheets about HRSA...

Recess Congress is in recess until November 13. This is a good time to visit your Senators and Representatives in their local offices, or attend public events, to educate them about children with special health care needs, the needs of their families, and your state’s...

As reported earlier, the president has signed into law the bipartisan “SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act” (H.R. 6). This blog post explains how the Medicaid provisions in the new law will help children. How Would Medicaid Provisions of New Law to Address Opioid...

Open Enrollment – See the end of this Update for resources to help assisters and consumers. REMEMBER: 2019 Open Enrollment runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, 2018. Important message from HHS regarding Find Local Help Assisters are encouraged to ensure their listings on...

TRICARE Open Season runs from November 12 through December 10. ECHO Benefit Year Changes to Calendar Year (10/17/18) Prepare for TRICARE Open Season: Compare TRICARE Plan Costs with Cost Comparison Tool  (10/19/18) Compare 2019 FEDVIP Dental, Vision Plans Ahead of...

FDA Asks For Comments on Labeling Sesame Ingredients in Foods The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a “Request for Information” requesting input from the public about whether it should require that sesame be listed as an ingredient on food labels to help...