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 September 21, 2023
The September 30th deadline for passing a budget is looming, and no agreement is in sight. This memo gives an overview of what HHS programs would be affected by a government shutdown. Those with mandatory funding, such as the F2Fs, would not be affected. Read the full...
Washington Update September 15, 2023
Both the Senate and the House are back in Washington, DC. The budget will be top of mind, along with plenty of other work and discussions. Drug Shortages: On July 28, 2023, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers unveiled a draft bill intended...
Washington Update September 6, 2023
The Senate returns to Washington, D.C. this week, and the House returns September 12th. The chambers appear at odds over appropriations and the federal budget. Buckle up! Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update August 24, 2023
Unwinding of Medicaid Continuous Coverage and the PHE Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update August 9, 2023
Legislative Update It's August Recess, and Members of Congress are in their home states. The Senate will be back on Tuesday, September 5, followed by the House on Tuesday, September 12. 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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