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 September 25, 2019
The big news from last week: Congress has passed the Autism CARES Act, and it is expected to be signed by the president. More good news: the US Customs and Immigration Services has decided to continue processing medical “deferred action” requests, which will make it...
Washington Update September 18, 2019
Congress came back from its August recess last week and is working to develop legislation on surprise medical bills and prescription drug prices, among other things. While the Washington Update was on recess, the administration issued its final rule on the “public...
Washington Update, August 9, 2019
SPECIAL BULLETIN: The 5-year funding extension for Family-to-Family Health Information Centers is now law! Greetings from Washington! GREAT NEWS! The president has signed the bill that extends funding for Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2Fs) for five...
Washington Update, August 1, 2019
GOOD NEWS! Congress has passed legislation to extend funding for Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2Fs) for five more years (through FY 2024) at the current funding level of $6 million per year! The legislation also makes permanent the provision that...
Washington Update, July 25, 2019
There is a lot going on in Congress right now, as Members try to get things done before they leave DC for the annual August recess. Speaking of which…Time to meet with your Members of Congress at home! Read more in this issue!
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