The Health Policy team advances health coverage, health care access and affordability, public health and equity, social determinants of health, and quality and efficiency in health care payment and delivery.
A health care professional measures a worker's blood pressure, 2005. (Getty/Smith Collection/Gado/Centers for Disease Control/CDC Connects)
What We're Doing
Expanding affordable health coverage
We are dedicated to bolstering affordable, high-quality health coverage options. By building on the Affordable Care Act, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, and developing progressive solutions for a world in which everyone can access care.
Advancing public health and equity
We are working to advance health in all communities and reduce health inequities that foster disparate outcomes. This includes addressing the significant vulnerabilities in our public health system to ensure that it is more resilient and ready to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and future health threats.
Lowering health costs for consumers
We are finding ways to reduce costs while improving health care quality and addressing the social and economic factors that influence health. Via delivery system and payment reform, the government has ample opportunities to bolster efficiency and quality in health care.
Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Could Benefit Millions of Seniors
The first 10 drugs negotiated under the Inflation Reduction Act are likely to include treatments for chronic conditions—such as diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders—and be used by millions of beneficiaries.
The U.S. Needs a Federal Program To Expand Vaccine Access and Equity for Adults
A Vaccines for Adults program is critical to expand vaccine access among uninsured adults and boost vaccination rates, therefore promoting equity and reducing health disparities.
What Recent Court Rulings on Mifepristone Mean for Abortion, Drug Safety, and the Politicization of the Courts
By moving to halt FDA approval of mifepristone, a judge in Texas takes aim at abortion access; upends the process for drug approvals; and undermines the legitimacy of the federal judiciary.
5 Actions the FDA Can Take To Reduce Heavy Metal Toxins in Baby Food
As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revises guidance for allowable levels of lead in baby food, further federal action is needed to protect all young children from environmental toxins in food products.
CAP’s Comments on FDA Draft Guidance for Lead Levels in Foods Marketed to Babies and Young Children
The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in response to the agency’s proposed draft guidance intended to reduce lead in foods marketed for infants and young children.
CAP’s Comment on the EPA’s Proposed Soot Pollution Standards
The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the agency’s proposed rule on soot pollution standards.
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.
Address the nursing shortage with realistic staffing and fair contracts
Marina Zhavoronkova, Nicole Rapfogel, and Emily Gee argue that in order to address America's nursing shortage, policymakers must take measures to improve nurses' working conditions and keep them in the profession.
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.
