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

What We're Working On
What We're Doing
Increasing vaccination rates to end the pandemic
Vaccination is key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic and avoiding preventable illness, death, and economic loss. We promote equitable vaccine policy and leveraging governmental and employers’ power to promote vaccination and pandemic recovery.
Strengthening public health infrastructure
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed inequities and existing weaknesses in the United States’ public health infrastructure. We’re focused on improving health equity by investing in public health, addressing social and economic factors that affect health, and preparing for future health threats.
Improving access to affordable health coverage
We’re dedicated to bolstering affordable, high-quality health coverage options. By building on the Affordable Care Act, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, and innovating progressive solutions, we envision a world in which everyone can access care.
Lowering health care prices and consumer costs
Health care affordability is a top consumer concern, and prices for health care and prescription drugs are inaccessibly high for many. One of our key priorities is improving America’s health by lowering costs to ensure all people can afford to manage their health.
By the Numbers
1.9
Life expectancy fell by 1.9 years in the pandemic—8.5 times more than peer countries.
Woolf, “Effect of the covid-19 pandemic in 2020 on life expectancy across populations” (2021).
2x
The U.S. spends 2 times more as peer countries on health, with 8% lower life expectancy.
CAP, “The Declining Health of Americans” (2021).
7,000
Closing the Medicaid coverage gap would save 7,000 lives per year.
CAP, “Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap Would Save 7,000 Lives Each Year” (2021).
2.8x
COVID hospitalized Black and Hispanic people at a rate 2.8 times higher than white people.
CDC, “Risk for COVID-19 Infection, Hospitalization, and Death by Race/Ethnicity” (2021).
Recent Work


House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn on Voting Rights, the Supreme Court, and More

5 things to know about the Supreme Court’s Texas abortion ban decision
Featured Experts

Donald
Berwick
Senior Fellow

David
Cutler
Senior Fellow, Health

Zeke
Emanuel
Senior Fellow

Emily
Gee
Senior Vice President, Inclusive Growth

Sam
Hughes
Policy Analyst

Marquisha
Johns
Associate Director, Public Health

Natasha
Murphy
Director, Health Policy

Jill
Rosenthal
Director, Public Health

Steven
Woolf
Senior Fellow

Nicole
Rapfogel
Policy Analyst, Health
Latest

The Biden Administration’s First 2 Years: Stories of Americans Who Benefit From a Government Invested in Their Future
This collection features stories from Americans across the country whose lives and communities have benefited from the legislative and executive actions passed under the Biden administration.

Older Arizonan Will Save Thousands of Dollars Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act
The Inflation Reduction Act will help lower costs for an Arizonan resident who struggled to afford expensive prescription medications on a fixed budget.

Georgia Veteran Awaits Prescription Drug Savings From the Inflation Reduction Act
An older Georgian seeks the Inflation Reduction Act’s relief from high prescription drug costs.

Medicare Patient With Diabetes Will Save Thousands With Insulin Copay Cap
A Missouri woman with Type 1 diabetes can afford to purchase a home with the incoming savings from the Inflation Reduction Act’s insulin copay cap.

Dr. Angela Rasmussen on the ‘Tripledemic’
This week, Daniella sits down with Dr. Angela Rasmussen to discuss the latest health threats facing America.

Dems took on big Pharma, voters like me noticed
Lifelong asthma sufferer Carol Brown is eager to see the prescription drug savings from the Inflation Reduction Act. Beginning in 2025, Brown will save thousands of dollars annually due to the $2,000 copay cap.

The MAGA Extremist Agenda Is a Threat to Progress
This collection features stories from Americans threatened by the harmful rhetoric and legislative actions of MAGA Republicans.

Threats to Social Security Jeopardize the Economic Security of Older Americans
An Arkansas resident who relies on Social Security and Medicare denounces proposals to cut or sunset the programs.

Nationwide Abortion Bans Threaten the Will of Kansas Voters
A Kansas abortion activist fears that a nationwide abortion ban will reverse the will of Kansas voters who overwhelmingly support protecting abortion.

Recover, Rebuild, Reform: Stories of Americans Affected by the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act
This collection features stories from people in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and New Hampshire whose lives have been improved by the legislation passed during the Biden administration’s first two years.

Americans in Nevada Not Yet on Medicare Stand To Benefit From the Inflation Reduction Act
A Carson City, Nevada, retiree looks forward to having Medicare negotiate on his behalf upon enrollment.

The Affordable Care Act and Medicare Saves Nevadans Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars on Health Care Costs
A retired small-business owner worries less about skipping prescriptions thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.