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 May 4, 2022
The Senate is in “the office” this week--working in the Capitol from their offices in the Dirksen, Hart, and Russell Senate Office Buildings. The House is “working from home” this week--on a weeklong period (until May 10) of working from their district in their...
Washington Update April 28, 2022
They’re back… Both the House and Senate are back in session as April quickly gives way to May. Here are some of the major work ahead on the horizon. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update April 20, 2022
Congress remains on Easter/Passover recess until the end of the week. Read the full newsletter here
Washington Update April 13, 2022
Congress has adjourned for a two-week state work period for the Easter and Passover holidays. The Senate will return on Monday, April 25, with the House returning a day later on Tuesday, April 26. Congratulations Justice Brown Jackson!! On April 7, 2022, Judge...
Washington Update April 1, 2022
Build Back Better - the revival? Work in DC requires keeping your ear to the ground and listening/reading what people are saying. This week a lot was said about renewed discussions for Build Back Better. Although details are not known, several reports indicate that...
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