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.
Texas ruling could not only harm women, but also the legitimacy of the judicial branch
Maggie Jo Buchanan addresses the dangerous impacts the decision in Alliance of Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration could have on drug safety in the United States.
Advancing Access to Contraception Through Section 1115 Medicaid Waivers and State Plan Amendments
The third report in this Center for American Progress series explores how states can pursue family planning options through Medicaid to expand access to contraception and other vital reproductive health services.
The Biden administration must take a tougher stance on soot pollution
Sarah Millender, Auburn Bell, and Jill Rosenthal have published a new op-ed in The Hill urging the Biden administration to strengthen standards on soot pollution.
Fact Sheet: Advancing Contraceptive Access in the States Through Quality Measures and Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling
This fact sheet accompanies a new Center for American Progress report on best practices to expand and improve access to contraception at the state level, covering common implementation challenges and offering recommendations for implementing contraceptive quality measures.
Fact Sheet: Challenges and Solutions to Improve Access to Contraception Through Section 1115 Medicaid Waivers and SPAs
This fact sheet accompanies a new Center for American Progress report on best practices to expand and improve access to contraception at the state level, covering common implementation challenges and offering recommendations to states pursuing family planning expansions through Section 1115 Medicaid waivers and state plan amendments (SPAs).
Nonprofit Hospitals Can Improve Community Health Through Housing Investments
Nonprofit hospitals have an obligation to provide community benefit; as part of this, they should do more to support the housing needs of the communities they serve.
Empowering State Attorneys General To Fight Health Care Consolidation
To address hospital consolidation, improve competition, and protect consumers from higher health care costs, state legislatures should act to strengthen and support state attorneys general antitrust enforcement authority.
How States Can Build Bridges by Smoothing Medicaid-to-Marketplace Coverage Transitions
To minimize the disruption of health insurance churn, particularly for low-income people, state policymakers should take action to ease enrollment transitions between Medicaid and marketplace coverage.
Advancing Contraception Access in States Through Expanded Pharmacist Prescribing
This is the second installment in the Center for American Progress’ series highlighting best practices to improve and expand access to contraception at the state level.
Fact Sheet: Common Challenges and Recommended Solutions for Implementing Pharmacist Prescribing of Contraceptives
This fact sheet accompanies a new Center for American Progress report on best practices to expand and improve contraceptive access at the state level, covering common implementation challenges and offering recommendations for expanding pharmacists’ prescriptive authority.
