Policy & Advocacy
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Policy & Advocacy
The ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Children's National Office of Policy and Prevention (National Office) works to support the healthiest generations of children by advancing innovative prevention strategies and pediatric health system transformation within our health system and nationally. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™ innovation and expertise serve as our foundation.
As part of the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ National Office, the Federal Affairs team provides thought leadership and advocacy to support children’s health, well-being and development. The team works with the U.S. Congress, the federal executive branch and national partners on federal policy changes that help create positive conditions for children to grow up healthy and thrive.Â
- Policy Papers
- Blog & Policy Op-Eds
- Public Comments
- Key Letters
- Social Drivers of Health Briefs
Policy Papers
- The Impact of Federal Support on Pediatric Behavioral Health in Delaware
- Advancing the Key Elements of Whole Child Health: State Case Studies and Policy Recommendations
- Executive Summary — Advancing the Key Elements of Whole Child Health: State Case Studies and Policy Recommendations
- Fostering School-Based Behavioral Health Services — Key Recommendations for Policymakers and Philanthropy
- Fostering School-Based Behavioral Health Services — Innovative and Promising Models, Policies and Practices From Across the Nation
- Aligning Efforts to Achieve Equitable Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Health and Well-Being for Children and Youth
- Promoting Health in Early Care and Education Policy Brief
- Pediatric Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Health: Federal Policy Recommendations for Congress and the Executive Branch
- Caring for the Whole Child: A New Way to Finance Initiatives to Improve Children's Health and Well-Being
- Executive Summary — Pediatric Value-Based Care and Social Drivers
- Pediatric Value-Based Care and Social Drivers: Emerging Examples
- Pediatric Value-Based Care and Social Drivers: Recommendations
- Data Sharing Across Child-Serving Sectors: Key Lessons and Resources
Blog & Policy Op-Eds
Public Comments
2023
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ submitted public comments in response to a request for information by the Centers for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) on processes for assessing compliance with mental health parity and addiction equity in Medicaid and CHIP
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ submitted public comments in support of the United States Department of Agriculture’s proposal to lower the minimum Individual Student Percentage threshold for the Community Eligibility Provision.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ provided comments and recommendations in response to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) 2023 proposed rule entitled Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ submitted public comments in support of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed updates to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package. WIC provides critical supports to moms and babies, including access to quality nutrition, to help young children grow up healthy.
2022
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ responded to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services request for information on accessing health care, understanding provider experiences, advancing health equity, and assessing the impact of waivers and flexibilities provided in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ provides feedback in response to the Administration’s request for information (RFI) on future requirements related to surprise billing, particularly related to the issuance of Good Faith Estimates (GFEs) and Advanced Explanations of Benefits (AEOBs) for patients with insurance coverage.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ responded to the request for information from the U.S. Department of the Treasury regarding the Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act program.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ provides public comments in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ proposed rule to streamline application, eligibility, determination, enrollment and renewal processes for Medicaid, CHIP and the Basic Health Program (BHP).
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ provided recommendations to strengthen the Centers for Medicare and Medical Services' (CMS) August 2022 proposal to require mandatory reporting of core Measure Sets.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ recommended extending current, temporary telehealth flexibilities made possible under the Public Health Emergency.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ submitted testimony for the Senate Finance Committee hearing record for its February 15, 2022 hearing entitled Protecting Youth Mental Health: Part II — Identifying and Addressing Barriers to Care.
2021
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ encouraged the Administration to utilize big data, prioritize reducing health disparities in the pediatric population, and improve diversity and inclusion in research.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ encouraged the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reduce disparities through the creation of a White House Office on Children and Youth, and a federal Children’s Cabinet.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ encouraged the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reduce disparities through the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with safeguards to protect personal health information.
2020
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ encouraged the Administration to address health inequities in maternal and child health outcomes by focusing on social determinants of health as the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) finalizes its strategic plan.
2019
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ encouraged the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a more consistent compliance landscape and to provide further guidance on the interdependencies across state and federal privacy regulations.
2018
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ responded to the Administration’s proposal that could impact Medicaid coverage and nutrition benefits for children. ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™ comments focused on the potential impact on the health, development, and well-being of children and families.
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ encouraged the Administration to recognize the unique health care needs of the pediatric population and to consider access to pediatric care as essential to children’s health as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalizes its MCO rule.Â
2017
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ encouraged CMMI to focus on pediatric test models.Â
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ responded with recommendations for CMS to consider areas of payment system redesign and health information exchange as CMS revises its Medicare payment policies.
Key Letters
2023
- ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Letter to the House in Support of Child Tax Credit Provisions in the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act
- ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Letter to the Senate on the Child Tax Credit
- ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Response: PAHPA RFI 2023
2022
2021
- Response to Cassidy-Murphy RFI on Federal Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder Programs
- ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Response to Senate Finance Committee Mental Health RFI
- Recommendations for the Build Back Better Budget Reconciliation Package
- COVID-19 Priorities for the 117th Congress
2020
2019
- Recommendations to the Congressional Telehealth Caucus to Expand Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring Services
- Removing Barriers to Care for Children with Medical Complexity via the ACE Kids Act
2018
- Addressing Potential Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the Farm Bill
- Advocating for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and Pediatric Telehealth Provisions in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act
- Key Recommendations to the Senate Finance Committee for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
Social drivers of health encompass the health-related behaviors, environmental factors and socioeconomic factors that affect a child’s growth, development and well-being. Where children live, play and learn can greatly impact their health and wellness in the short-term and long-term. In fact, shows 80-90% of health outcomes are attributable to social drivers of health. These factors go beyond the health care system and play a crucial role in setting the path to optimal health outcomes for children and youth.
The fact sheets included in this series demonstrate how key social drivers impact children's health, development and well-being.
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