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 March 8, 2023
In Memoriam On March 4th, Judy Heumann, lifelong leader disability rights advocate, passed away. The following is an excerpt from a tribute written by the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD): Judy’s life story is well documented by herself and others....
Washington Update March 2, 2023
Legislative Updates Both the Senate and the house are back in session and have begun the March legislative work period. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update February 22, 2023
Legislative Updates The House and Senate are out of session until February 23, 2023. Healthcare Workforce Shortage Prior to the President’s Day recess, the Senate HELP committee held its first hearing of the year about the healthcare workforce shortage. Senators...
Washington Update February 15, 2023
Legislative Updates The House is out of session for the next two weeks for the Presidents Day work period. Many members of the House will be in their home districts. The Senate is in session this week working on judicial nominations. This might be a great time to...
Washington Update February 8, 2023
Legislative Updates Energy & Commerce Hearing Better Care Better Jobs Act 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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