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
The Importance of Mental Health (with Talking Points)
Background The United States is experiencing a mental health crisis, which was made worse by the pandemic. Nearly one in three adults experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. For children and youth, the problem is even more severe, with the American Academy of...
New Briefs on Medicaid and Children with Special Health Care Needs
In partnership with Georgetown Center for Children and Families (CCF), Family Voices is proud to share two briefs focused on children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities (CYSHCN). Medicaid is a key component of supporting CYSHCN and their...
Cabinet Nomination Updates
As of today, the Senate has put several of the Trump administration’s cabinet picks through the confirmation process. Below are all those nominated and their confirmation status. Confirmed Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Secretary of...
F2F Reauthorization Status Update – March 2025
F2F funding has been included in the proposed continuing resolution through September 2025. Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (R- TX) introduced legislation in House on February 18. Similar to the bill passed out of the House...
The Latest on the OMB Funding Freeze
On January 27, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo directing all agencies to temporarily pause payment for a large group of federal programs. Since then, the memo has been rescinded. Additionally, two lawsuits have challenged the OMB...
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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