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).
Conspiracy theories, misinformation, COVID-19, and the 2020 election
In a new survey, Daniel A. Cox and John Halpin examine the prevalence of misinformation about COVID-19, public confidence in the media, and concerns about the administration of the 2020 election.
COVID-19 second stimulus package standoff highlights Trump’s flawed economic agenda
Amid stalled negotiations on a second COVID-19 stimulus package, Brian Katulis and Aaron Klein discuss how President Trump's governing agenda guts America's global competitiveness.
The best route for moving up is in danger of being blocked
Through the lens of a community college student in rural Louisiana, Marcella Bombardieri describes why Congress must invest sufficiently in public colleges amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In light of the glaring inequalities exposed by the coronavirus pandemic, Neera Tanden outlines the need for a comprehensive 21st-century social contract that will not only lead the United States into recovery but also rethink the existing relationship between individuals, corporations, and the government.
Lawrence J. Korb writes about decisions that should be made in the fiscal year 2021 defense budget—including the provision of funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Health care workforce challenges require transformative thinking on equity, pay
Authors Livia Lam and Daniel Bustillo examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed workforce inequities in pay and job quality in the health care industry .
