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
TRICARE: Stay Covered After Age 21 with TRICARE Young Adult (Washington Update August 2, 2018)
Stay Covered After Age 21 with TRICARE Young Adult (TRICARE Benefits Update, 7/25/18): “Have you recently graduated from college, but you haven't found your dream job yet? Or did you just turn 21, and you're not enrolled in college? If you're worried about your health...
Evaluation of State/Territorial Compliance with IDEA (Washington Update August 2, 2018)
In its Determination Letters on State Implementation of IDEA (revised July 24, 2018) the Department of Education provided its annual assessment of state compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). With respect to Part B of the Act (for ages...
Infographic: Financial Hardship in Families Raising CYSHCN (Washington Update August 2, 2018)
The Catalyst Center has developed a one-page infographic to illustrate elements of financial hardship for families who have children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Resources about family financial hardship are listed at the bottom of the...
Your Input Sought/Of Possible Interest (Washington Update August 2, 2018)
YOUR INPUT SOUGHT NEW CMS Tribal LTSS Program Survey This survey is being conducted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help them develop a list of tribally operated long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs across Indian Country. The...
Upcoming Webinars from the Field (Washington Update July 25, 2018)
NEW Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Strategies for Success Wednesday, July 25, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm ET National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) Ticket to Work...
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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