U.S. House of Representatives: The House “flipped” from a Republican to a Democratic majority. The Democrats needed to gain 23 seats; they gained 27. The total count is not yet in, but the Democrats will have at least 220 seats and the Republicans 195. (218 is a...

Recess Congress is in recess until November 13. You can find town halls and other public events at which your Members of Congress will appear at https://townhallproject.com/. This is a good time to educate Members of Congress about children with special health care...

Wisconsin Work-Requirement Waiver Approved On October 31, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Wisconsin's waiver request to establish a community-engagement requirement (to work, volunteer, or pursue education) for individuals ages 19 through...

REMEMBER: 2019 Open Enrollment runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, 2018. New Guidance Reinterprets Section 1332 Waivers (Say Ahhh! blog of the Georgetown Center on Children and Families, 11/1/18) – This article explains the recent changes to the criteria that CMS will...

TRICARE Open Season runs from November 12 through December 10. This webinar offers information about it: Open Season is Here! Your Guide to TRICARE Open Season and Federal Benefits Open Season, Thursday, November 15, 1:00 -2:00 ET. Will Your Dentist Scream or Beam...

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...