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
Resources for Open Enrollment (Washington Update, October 25, 2018)
2019 Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through December 15, 2018 Plans sold during Open Enrollment start January 1, 2019. After December 15, consumers can enroll in 2019 health insurance only if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Resources for...
Webinars from the Field (Washington Update, October 11, 2018)
Certification for I&R Specialists in Aging/Disabilities (CIRS-A/D) Webinar Training Thursday, October 11, 1:00-5:00 pm ET (4 hours) National Information and Referral Support Center, National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (The webinar will...
For Those Assisting Victims of Hurricane Florence (Washington Update, October 11, 2018)
[From Health Insurance Marketplace email of 9/20/18. No URL found for this info.] On August 9, 2018, CMS released guidance clarifying Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) Special Enrollment Period (SEP) policy for consumers impacted by an emergency or major disaster...
THE COURTS (Washington Update, October 11, 2018)
The Supreme Court began its October term on October 1, and now has its new ninth member, Brett Kavanaugh, who replaced retired Justice Anthony Kennedy, for whom Kavanaugh once served as a clerk. Kavanaugh was sworn in shortly after being confirmed on Saturday, October...
The Administration (Washington Update, October 11, 2018)
“Public Charge” Rule published As reported in earlier Updates, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to change the way in which determinations are made about the likelihood that an immigrant will become a “public charge,” and thus should not be...
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