Your Input Sought

NEW Consideration of pain in adult and child disability claims – Due February 15, 2019
The Office of Disability Policy, Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit public comments and supporting data related to the consideration and documentation of pain in the medical evidence used in connection with claims for benefits. SSA will use the responses to the questions listed in the ANPRM and any other relevant research and data obtained to determine whether and how to propose revisions to the current policy regarding the evaluation of pain. Comment here.

HHS Seeks Public Feedback on Modifying HIPAA Privacy Rules – Due February 12, 2019
The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a Request for Information (RFI) asking the public for comments on how regulations implementing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) can be improved to “facilitate efficient care coordination and/or case management, and/or promote the transformation to value-based health care,” including rule changes that would encourage providers and other covered entities to share treatment information with parents, loved ones, and caregivers of adults facing health emergencies (with a particular focus on the opioid crisis). Comments are due no later than February 12, 2019. Read the RFI and submit comments.

Of Possible Interest

Health and Mental Health Needs of Children in US Military Families (Pediatrics, January 2019, American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report)

 A Father’s Fight to Help His Sons — And Fix Clinical Trials, Nick Sireau’s quest to give his sons weedkiller could help thousands struggling with rare genetic conditions. (Nature, 1/9/19)

 For the First Time on Record, Your Odds of Dying from an Accidental Opioid Overdose Are Greater Than Dying in a Motor Vehicle Crash (National Safety Council, Injury Facts)

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Our Vision

With families at the center of health care, all children and youth reach their full potential and health disparities are eliminated.

Our Mission

Family Voices is a national organization and grassroots network of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities that promotes partnership with families—including those of cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity—in order to improve health care services and policies for children.

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