CISWH Project Resources

This presentation explains Health Insurance Options for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Originally published in the April 2011 issue of the Catalyst Center Coverage e-newsletter, this article focuses on financing mechanisms for pediatric palliative and hospice care programs and provides some state-specific examples of noteworthy strategies for financing pediatric palliative care programs that can be replicated.

This guide is designed to provide basic information, action steps and deadlines to help young adults in Florida stay focused and on track with health insurance.

Combining sound statistical data with compelling narratives from the personal perspective of those experiencing a problem or who are impacted by a policy decision can also help inspire new champions in the work to improve coverage and financing of care for CYSHCN. This page will discuss the benefits of using statistical data and family stories in efforts made on behalf of CYSHCN, as well as provide some tips for using these tools in effective ways.

Care coordination for CYSHCN is a service that links CYSHCN and their families with appropriate services and resources in an effort to achieve good health.

Families face significant challenges in caring for their CSHCN. For many families, one of these challenges is the economic impact of inadequate health care coverage. Families must make hard choices about how to spend limited salaries and then make substantial sacrifices in other domains to ensure adequate care for their children. But for other families, the resources to pay for care are simply not there. Children and youths who are uninsured or whose insurance does not pay for critical components of care may experience adverse outcomes in relation to health, development, and capacity to function because their families just cannot afford to pay for vitally needed care.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) contains provisions that are designed to improve major gaps in the health care coverage, financing and delivery system that prevent children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) from accessing health care services or which impose significant financial hardship on their families.  The law is designed to increase coverage, improve benefits and provide important new insurance protections for all Americans. Many of the law’s provisions will impact children, including CYSHCN, and all will be implemented over time. This fact sheet offers a concise description of some of the provisions under ACA that directly impact CYSHCN and offers some thoughts about the role of State Title V MCH and CYSHCN programs in realizing their promise.

This slide deck, presented during a topical conference call the by the Catalyst Center, explains the benefits of the Family Opportunity Act (FOA) and the different ways states can implement this important state option for extending Medicaid to children with disabilities. It also highlights the differences between the FOA, waivers, and TEFRA/Katie Beckett. 

As the possibility of national health care reform became a reality, the Catalyst Center identified three things children with special health care needs would need: Coverage that is universal and continuous, adequate, and affordable. 

This Catalyst Center policy brief describes the impact of the CommonHealth program and its relevance to the Massachusetts health care reform experience.