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
Updated State Medicaid and CHIP Snapshots (Washington Update, September 26, 2018)
The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) created factsheets underscoring the importance of Medicaid in providing coverage for children in all 51 states (including the District of Columbia).
Medicaid Waivers (September 26, 2018)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is now reviewing a waiver proposal from Alabama to establish work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries. Previous work-requirement waiver applications have been submitted by or approved for states that had...
TRICARE (Washington Update, September 26, 2018)
Use TRICARE Online Tools to Help You Choose a Health Plan (TRICARE Benefit Update, 9/2/18)
Other News, Information, and Resources (Washington Update, September 26, 2018)
Opioid grants HHS Awards Over $1 Billion to Combat the Opioid Crisis (HHS press release, 9/19/18) The awards support HHS's Five-Point Opioid Strategy, which was launched last year and enhanced this week. Funds will be going to programs in the Substance Abuse and...
Your Input Sought/Announcement/Of Possible Interest (Washington Update September 26, 2018)
Your Input Sought Seeking Parent Input on What Doctors Should Know in Caring for Children The Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics is revising its General Pediatric Clerkship Curriculum. The foundation includes “The skills, attitudes, and knowledge that...
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