Public Policy
Policy Priorities to Support Children with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities and Their Families
Our Strategic Policy Priorities
Children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities, and their families, face systemic barriers and biases that impede their ability to experience their best possible lives. Systems of care do not respond to their needs holistically or facilitate access to supports that enhance their quality of life.
To make the most impact, we focus our policy actions across all levels of government – federal, state, and local. We work with our family and organizational partners to lean on the various levers of policy change through education and advocacy.
Our current policy agenda includes:
- Expand access to peer-to-peer support for families of children and youth with special health care needs
- Support and expand Medicaid coverage for children and youth with special health care needs and their families and caregivers
- Improve the transition to adult health care for youth and young adults with disabilities and their caregivers and families
- Eliminate language access barriers
Family Voices collaborates with national child health and disability organizations, such as the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, The Arc, Autism Speaks, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and other groups.
Recent Policy Briefs
Recent Policy-Related News
Washington Update October 25, 2023
The search for a speaker of the House continues. In the interim, Congress appears to be going about their business- to an extent. Remember that the budget approval is looming (11/17/23 deadline) and until a Speaker is elected, a vote on the appropriations bill- or any...
Washington Update October 19, 2023
Both the Senate and House are in session this week… sort of. The House has been unable to elect a Speaker so much of their business is on hold. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update October 13, 2023
Legislative UpdateShutdown was averted, but leadership of the House is not clear. Republican leaders of the House hope to vote a new Speaker of the House by the end of the week. For now, Representative McHenry (R. NC) is the “speaker pro tem.” This is temporary and he...
Washington Update October 6, 2023
Congress avoided a government shutdown last Saturday by passing a temporary 45-day continuing resolution until November 17, 2023. Congress Launches MCO Investigation: House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Senate Finance...
Washington Update September 27, 2023
All eyes, ears, and efforts in both chambers of Congress will be focused on the federal budget. It expires on 9/30/23- and agreement to pass appropriation bills and/or a temporary continuing resolution appear nowhere in sight. Read the full newsletter here
Legislation
The legislation tracked below is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be an endorsement for or against the legislation. Action updates may occur daily, if actions are taken by Congress. Newly introduced legislation will be added weekly.
The legislative tracker is sorted by latest action. To navigate this page, you can scroll through just as you would a normal webpage. You can also click Ctrl+F on your keyboard and type in the search box.
For additional information and to read the full text (if available), click the highlighted bill number. You can also navigate to Congress.gov and search using key terms or phrases, or the bill numbers listed below.
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