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 June 24, 2022
Weekly updates from the policy arena for family leaders and professionals about CYSHCN. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update June 8, 2022
Congress returns to Washington, D.C. this week to kick off the June work period. Gun control legislation is expected to be at the forefront of this month's congressional agenda following the recent string of mass shootings, with House Democrats readying floor action...
Washington Update May 26, 2022
Work on the Hill is winding down this week heading into the Holiday. Both Houses of Congress recess for the Memorial Day district work period next week. There will be no Washington Update next week. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update May 18, 2022
It is with great sadness we share that Julie Beckett, one of the founders of Family Voices, passed away on Friday, May 13, at her home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update May 12, 2022
Weekly updates from the policy arena for family leaders and professionals about CYSHCN. 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.
Encourage confidence to act