Mandated benefits are health care benefits or services that, with some important exceptions) private health insurers must cover. Every state mandates at least some health benefits, depending on emerging issues in that state.

Relief Funds pay for services families incur for their children and youth with special health care needs/disabilities that are not covered by private insurance, Medicaid, or any other public or private programs. Relief Funds function as a payer of last resort for families who struggle financially to meet the health care…

This Catalyst Center policy brief provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Family Opportunity Act (FOA) Medicaid Buy-in option, including what the advantages are for families raising children with disabilities and states, how it affects existing pathways to Medicaid, and any costs for families.  

Financial hardship is common among families raising CYSHCN. This Catalyst Center policy brief describes the three distinct but interconnected pathways. 

This guide is designed for policymakers, advocates, legislators, consumers, family members, and providers – in short, for anyone interested in financing care for children and youth with special health care needs at the state level, and in particular through the Medicaid program.

This interactive chartbook provides data on carefully selected indicators of health coverage and health care financing for CYSHCN in every state plus DC and Puerto Rico.

This Catalyst Center policy brief provides information about Medicaid Buy-In Programs including what they are, how they work, how they help both families raising Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)/disabilities and the states. Learn about existing Medicaid Buy-in programs in three states. 

The Family Opportunity Act (FOA) is a state option for creating a Medicaid Buy-in program for families raising children with disabilities whose income is too high for Medicaid but less than 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). This policy brief provides a methodology for estimating the impact of FOA…

This Catalyst Center policy brief explains the problem of under-insurance for CYSHCN and its impact on families.