Strengthening Public Health and Ending the Pandemic
CAP works to strengthen public health systems, respond to COVID-19 in equitable and sustainable ways, 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)
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).
Maine Provides Leadership on Religion and Vaccines
The Rev. Jane Field of the Maine Council of Churches shares her thoughts on Maine’s approach to containing COVID-19, as well as the response from religious communities in the state.
Including Immigration Parole in Reconciliation Will Help Millions
While not providing permanent protections, including immigration parole in reconciliation would allow up to 7.1 million undocumented immigrants to gain long-term temporary status while satisfying the objections of the Senate parliamentarian.
As litigation continues over efforts to address climate change, it is critical that America’s federal courts include judges with professional expertise advancing climate protection policies.
Investing in Home Care and Early Childhood Educators Has Outsize Impacts on Employment
Proposed investments in the Build Back Better agenda would benefit a significant number of workers, particularly women and women of color; transform the home care and early childhood sectors; and lift living standards and employment prospects for millions of Americans.
New Poverty and Food Insecurity Data Illustrate Persistent Racial Inequities
Data make it clear that policymakers must finally commit to an expansive racial equity agenda to ensure that racial and gender economic disparities do not continue into the future.
Build Back Better by Advancing Better Health, Equity, Family Well-Being, and Economic Recovery
By addressing key priorities, the budget reconciliation process can advance health and economic recovery and deliver benefits to the individuals, neighborhoods, and communities that need them the most.
Optimizing the Federal Budget Process and Timeline To Center Climate Science
CAP recommendations would optimize the annual federal climate science budget process and timeline to provide necessary funding for the administration’s climate agenda.
The Build Back Better Agenda Boosts Productivity and Long-Term Economic Growth in Numerous Ways
A paper cited by critics of the Build Back Better agenda analyzes a different plan than what President Joe Biden has proposed and Congress is considering, and it ignores many positive effects of the actual plan.
