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
Other News, Information, and Resources
FDA Approves Epilepsy Drug Derived from Marijuana On Monday, June 25, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of a purified form of the drug cannabidiol (CBD). The new product, called Epidiolex, was approved to treat seizures in patients two...
Affordable Care Act News and Resources: Navigator Grants Uncertain
As of June 20, the administration had not yet provided any information to about future funding to the groups that have been serving as ACA “navigators.” See Key ObamaCare groups in limbo as they await funding (The Hill, 6/20/28). Navigators assist consumers in...
Medicaid/CHIP News: Guidance on Providing EPSDT Services for Children in “Institutions for Mental Disease” (IMDs)
On June 20, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Informational Bulletin that describes the requirements of section 12005 of the 21st Century Cures Act (the Cures Act) -- “Providing EPSDT Services to Children in IMDs.” This section of the...
Budget and Appropriations
Rescissions As reported in last week’s Update, the Senate voted not to take up the bill that would have rescinded funds previously designated for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other programs. Because the legislation was subject to a deadline of...
Broader Immigration Legislation
As reported in last week’s Update, the House is expected to take up a broad immigration bill that is considered to be a compromise among “Republicans of all perspectives.” See the press release. The Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018 (H.R. 6136) would...
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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