Legislative Advocacy for Children
Connecticut Children’s is often called upon by policy makers to act as an expert resource on health care issues that affect children. Too often, kids do not have a voice in the decisions that affect them and their families. Connecticut Children’s advocacy efforts are aimed at ensuring that children’s concerns are always heard when public policies are made.
Keeping this in mind Connecticut Children’s has developed Child Health Policy Priorities to provide policymakers with a roadmap to pursue regulatory and legislative changes to help strengthen and empower families as well as protect and enhance the physical and emotional well-being of all children.
Within each of the priorities outlined below, you will find brief descriptions of the key topics.
Strengthening Medicaid and Increasing Access to Care
All children should have equitable access to the right care, at the right time, in the right setting. Improving access to care for children and their families cannot be accomplished without improving Medicaid rates and reforming current payment models for pediatric providers.
Improving the Behavioral Health of Children and Their Families
Advancing innovative policies and practices that support early intervention and a comprehensive and integrative behavioral health system so that kids and families can access services where and when they need them.
Advancing Initiatives That Support the Health of Children, Families, and Communities
Strengthening families by supporting policies that empower them and help address the many social factors that impact a child’s health and development (often referred to as the social influencers of health).
Promoting Innovative Strategies to Advance Child Health Outcomes
Supporting children’s optimal health through the advancement of cures and treatments for childhood diseases and conditions and through the implementation of new and more efficacious ways of delivering care to kids and families.
Policy Library
Explore Connecticut Children’s Policy Library to learn how we advocate for policies that support the health and well-being of children and families. This collection includes policy briefs that translate research into actionable insights, public hearing testimony that elevates clinical and community perspectives, and a Medicaid blog series examining issues related to coverage, access, and pediatric care.
Policy Briefs
Public Hearing Testimony
Medicaid Blog Series
Stay Informed and Take Action
Find Your Legislators
As a Connecticut resident, it is important to remember that your elected officials work for you. If there is an issue that matters to you, you can write, email, or call your state legislator to make sure your voice is heard. Contacting your elected officials really does make a difference!
View Our Partner Organizations
Our partner organizations also offer guidance and materials to assist you in your advocacy efforts.
Contact the Government Relations Team
Have questions about the legislative process, our public policy priorities, or another government relations issue? Reach out to a member of our Government Relations team.