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
Medicaid News/Resources (Washington Update, October 3, 2018)
EPSDT webinar recordings and materials: Webinar recording and slides: EPSDT Education for Providers and Advocates. Webinar recording and slides: Medical Necessity and EPSDT: Tools for Providers and Advocates AAP State EPSDT Profiles, which provide insight and detailed...
Medicaid Waivers (Washington Update, October 3, 2018)
FYI, see Trump administration defends Medicaid work requirements (The Hill, 9/27/18). Update: Michigan proposes to amend its “Healthy Michigan Plan” to require Medicaid beneficiaries with income between 100 percent and 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) to...
TRICARE (Washington Update, October 3, 2018)
Together We Can Prevent Suicide (TRICARE Benefit Update, 9/27/18) – provides links to resources to military and TRICARE resources related to mental health care and suicide prevention. Worth repeating: Use TRICARE Online Tools to Help You Choose a Health Plan (TRICARE...
Your Input Sought/Of Possible Interest/Announcement (Washington Update, October 3, 2018)
Your Input Sought Survey on Attending Genetics Appointments after Referrals Open until Oct. 12 The NYMAC (New York-Mid-Atlantic Regional Genetics Network) -- one of seven regional networks in the country funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration – is...
Upcoming Webinars from the Field (Washington Update, September 26, 2018)
NEW All of Us Research Program: A Breakthrough for Minority Health Wednesday, September 26, 3:00-4:00 ET National Hispanic Medical Association SERIES: As part of its Health Reform: Beyond the Basics project, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is presenting a...
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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