Center for American Progress Action

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Strengthening Health

We work to strengthen public health systems and improve health care coverage, access, and affordability.

A pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic is seen in California. (Getty/Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
What We're Working On

What We're Doing

Strengthening public health systems

The COVID-19 pandemic and increasing intensity of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters have exposed the many inequities and weaknesses in the United States’ public health infrastructure. We focus on improving health equity by investing in public health; addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that affect health; and preparing for and mitigating future health threats.

Improving access to affordable health coverage

We’re dedicated to bolstering access to affordable, high-quality health coverage options. By building on the Affordable Care Act, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, strengthening the Medicare program, and innovating other progressive health care solutions, we envision a world in which everyone can access high-value care.

 

Lowering health care prices and consumer costs

Health care affordability is a top consumer concern, and out-of-pocket costs for health care and prescription drugs are inaccessibly high for many. One of our key priorities is improving America’s health by protecting consumers and lowering costs to ensure that all people can afford to manage their health. We also work to combat the upstream drivers of high health care costs and prices, including excessive levels of consolidation and anticompetitive health care practices.

 

Increasing vaccination rates to prevent death and disease

Vaccination is key to avoiding preventable illness, death, and economic loss. We promote policies to ensure a robust vaccine supply, to provide people with no-cost access to vaccines, and to combat vaccine misinformation and disinformation.

 

By the Numbers

41%

About 4 in 10 adults report having debt due to medical or dental bills.

KFF, “Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs” (2024).

Source

$1B each summer

The health care costs from hospital admissions and emergency department visits due to extreme heat days.

CAP, “The Health Care Costs of Extreme Heat” (2023).

$1.3T

Without reform, Medicare is at risk of overpaying Medicare Advantage plans between $1.3 trillion and $2 trillion over the next decade.

CAP, “Ending Overpayment in Medicare Advantage” (2024).

1 in 3

The proportion of community health center sites that are located in areas of high relative climate vulnerability.

CAP, “Climate-Resilient Health Care Promotes Public Health, Equity, and Climate Justice” (2024).

Recent Work

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These 20 Congressional Districts Would See Massive Health Insurance Premium Increases Under Congressional Republicans’ Health Care Plans Article
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) departs a news conference.

These 20 Congressional Districts Would See Massive Health Insurance Premium Increases Under Congressional Republicans’ Health Care Plans

Families in 20 key districts will see Affordable Care Act marketplace premiums rise by thousands of dollars each year if congressional Republicans succeed in slashing Medicaid funding and letting the enhanced premium tax credits expire.

Natasha Murphy, Andrea Ducas

Why Won’t Pennsylvania US Representatives Ryan Mackenzie and Brian Fitzpatrick Protect Medicaid for Their Constituents? Personal Story

Why Won’t Pennsylvania US Representatives Ryan Mackenzie and Brian Fitzpatrick Protect Medicaid for Their Constituents?

Kristin Volchansky, a Pennsylvania woman with a genetic immunodeficiency, shares how Medicaid enabled her to afford treatments that would otherwise have cost her thousands of dollars. She calls upon her local representatives to protect the health of their constituents by fighting against Medicaid cuts.

The Bucks County Beacon

Kristin Volchansky

These 15 Congressional Districts Would See Large Medicaid Funding Losses Under Republican House Budget Resolution Article
The U.S. Capitol Dome is seen with a tree in front of it on the left.

These 15 Congressional Districts Would See Large Medicaid Funding Losses Under Republican House Budget Resolution

The Republican House budget resolution’s potential $880 billion in Medicaid cuts would cost these congressional districts a total of $34 billion, potentially reducing coverage for nearly 730,000 people.

Sara Estep, Natasha Murphy, Andrea Ducas, 2 More Emily Gee, Natalie Baker

Harris and Walz Work Hard To Improve Public Health and Safety During the Opioid Epidemic, While Trump Lies and Undermines Efforts To Save Lives Article
Harris and Walz descend steps leading from plane

Harris and Walz Work Hard To Improve Public Health and Safety During the Opioid Epidemic, While Trump Lies and Undermines Efforts To Save Lives

Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz have supported evidence-based law enforcement and public health measures to address the opioid epidemic, while former President Trump has blocked bipartisan border security legislation, falsely blamed immigrants, and jeopardized access to treatment.

Debu Gandhi, Jill Rosenthal, Marquisha Johns

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