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 18, 2021
The major issues covered in this Update are: The new COVID-relief law – The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 CDC Updated Guidance for Operating Child Care Programs during COVID-19 CDC Updated Guidance for Nursing Home Visitation “Public charge” rule permanently...
Washington Update March 3, 2021
The major issues covered in this Update are: The COVID-relief bill Information about the availability (or lack of availability) for non-elderly individuals with disabilities and their caretakers (including the Issue Brief: COVID-19 Vaccine Access for [Non-Elderly]...
Washington Update February 22, 2021
The major issues covered in this Update are: The COVID-relief bill New CDC guidelines on school reopening New CDC guidance on masks Withdrawal of public charge rule Rescission of Medicaid work-requirement waivers and guidance Vaccination and mask updates (end section)...
Washington Update February 2, 2021
The major issues covered in this Update are: New ACA Special Enrollment Period on healthcare.gov, February 13 through May 15 Presidential order to identify and address policies hindering access to health care coverage Efforts to pass another COVID-relief bill Report...
Washington Update January 14, 2021
The major issues covered in this Update are: Enactment of the COVID-relief and FY 2021 appropriations bill Medicaid news, including: Extension of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) and consequent extension of the enhanced federal match, maintenance-of-effort...
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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