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
Affordable Care Act (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
New guidance on state innovation waivers under the Affordable Care Act The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) have issued new guidance (press release; fact sheet) on waivers...
TRICARE (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
TRICARE open season runs from November 12 through December 10. Compare 2019 FEDVIP Dental, Vision Plans Ahead of Open Season (TRICARE Benefits Update, 10/4/18) Together We Can Prevent Suicide (TRICARE Benefits Update, 9/27/18) Make Small Changes to Reduce the Risk of...
Other News, Information, and Resources (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
Guidance on Bullying On October 21, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education issued a 13-page letter outlining the obligations of a school when a student with an IEP or 504 Plan is bullied. Social Security Administration announces...
Of Possible Interest (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
Down Syndrome Association steps up efforts to reach minority families in central Ohio (Columbus Post Dispatch, 10/16/18) Study: High-deductible employer plans contribute to financial burden for low-income patients (FierceHealthcare, 10/9/18)
Your Input Sought (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
MCHB Grand Challenges – deadline extended to Nov. 9 for CYSHCN Challenge As reported earlier, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau will award four prizes in a Grand Challenges competition to develop innovative, low-cost, and scalable solutions to improve the health of...
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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