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 12, 2022
The senate is in session this week and focused on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Usually, there are not standalone defense-related bills each year, so everything is tacked onto this one… and this is why staffers will spend this week sorting through the...
Washington Update September 23, 2022
Both chambers are back in session this week, and there are just 3 weeks left to avert a government shutdown. A temporary spending bill to keep the government funded until mid-December is still expected this week. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update September 15, 2022
Both chambers are back in session this week, and there are just 3 weeks left to avert a government shutdown. A temporary spending bill to keep the government funded until mid-December is still expected this week. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update September 9, 2022
The Senate is back in session this week and the House reconvenes next Tuesday after the August recess. There is a lot of legislative business at hand, and many members have already turned their focus to the November election. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update July 28, 2022
Time is running short for legislators to accomplish their goals prior to the August recess… just this week and next. Members are prioritizing items and leaving others until after Labor Day. Note: the Washington Update will also be on recess until after Labor Day. Read...
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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