
Strengthening 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.

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


Some States Are Ready To Punish Abortion in a Post-Roe World

Hearings reveal Trump’s vast plan to overturn Americans’ votes

Hearing on Tax Policy for Inclusive Economic Growth
Latest

COVID data lapses are just one symptom of our ailing public health system
Jill Rosenthal explains why lapses in health data for COVID-19 reveal the fragility of the U.S. public health system.

Blue states like New York must protect abortion rights
Tymoni Correa-Buntley urges blue states to protect and expand access to abortion care in light of the Supreme Court's draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

COUNTERPOINT: Masks remain an essential tool to protect against COVID
Mia Ives-Rublee argues that masks remain a critical preventive measure to avoid future COVID-19 surges and protect those at higher risk of severe illness.

As the US reaches 1 million COVID-19 deaths, Congress still has work ahead
Mia Ives-Rublee writes about the congressional action that is still needed to address COVID-19.

Congress must find a path forward on COVID-19 relief funding
Jill Rosenthal urges Congress to find a path forward on the $10 billion supplemental COVID-19 relief package.

Covid vaccine and mask mandates expose alt-right Christian hypocrisy
Maggie Siddiqi explains why in the face of a deadly pandemic, religion must not be used as an excuse to avoid lifesaving vaccination and mask requirements.

More Public Transit Can Mean More Access to Care
Emily Gee writes about how public transit can expand access to health care.

We Have the Tools to Prevent a Winter COVID Surge. It’s Time to Use Them All.
Jill Rosenthal outlines next steps that the Biden administration, state and local policymakers, and private companies should take to prevent a winter surge in COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19 Vaccines: Will mandates bring the pandemic under control?
Jill Rosenthal discusses the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Trump raved about his COVID treatment, but hardly anyone can get it. We need a better plan.
Topher Spiro writes about why the monoclonal antibody treatment will not be widely available to those with COVID-19.