Health Coverage and Access

Health coverage is key to accessing health care and preventive services. The Center for American Progress has long researched, developed, and advocated for policies that expand health coverage, strengthen access to care, and improve affordability. The following research and analyses illustrate gaps in health coverage and propose ways to improve access to care.

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How Congress can still get health care subsidies in place for 2026 In the News

How Congress can still get health care subsidies in place for 2026

In an op-ed published by STAT, Emily urges Congress to extend the enhanced tax credits into 2026 while also outlining several other concrete actions the federal government could take to make health care more affordable.

STAT

Emily Gee

How Private Equity and the Financialization of Health Services Can Undermine Access to Sexual and Reproductive Care Report

How Private Equity and the Financialization of Health Services Can Undermine Access to Sexual and Reproductive Care

As firms increasingly invest in OB-GYN practices, fertility clinics, maternity care services, and other health care facilities, policymakers must regulate private equity activity and strengthen oversight of corporate control of health care to preserve Americans’ access to care.

Kierra B. Jones

Open Enrollment, Closed Doors Article
Capitol building reflected in a red ambulance

Open Enrollment, Closed Doors

As Affordable Care Act marketplace open enrollment for 2026 begins on November 1, Republican health policies are reducing access to affordable and comprehensive coverage for low-income Americans, young adults, and the self-employed.

Natasha Murphy

Growing Market Power Among Catholic Hospitals Restrains Access to Reproductive Health Care Report
A hospital bed sits in the birthing room of a catholic hospital.

Growing Market Power Among Catholic Hospitals Restrains Access to Reproductive Health Care

Stronger antitrust enforcement is necessary to prevent reduced access to reproductive health care, including abortion, birth control, and fertility treatments, while safeguarding market competition.

The Trump Administration Is Quietly Gutting Minimum Wage Protections for Millions of Workers Article
A group of workers is seen walking along a brick pathway.

The Trump Administration Is Quietly Gutting Minimum Wage Protections for Millions of Workers

The administration has already cut minimum wage protections for hundreds of thousands of federal contract workers and halted plans to require companies to pay disabled workers at least $7.25 per hour; this Labor Day, it will advance plans to eliminate federal minimum wage protections for millions of child care and home care providers.

Aurelia Glass

Politicians Don’t Understand Disability In the News

Politicians Don’t Understand Disability

In an op-ed published by Inside Sources, Mia Ives-Rublee argues that Congress should use the inclusive framing provided by the Americans with Disability Act to boost support for this growing community of Americans.

Inside Sources

Mia Ives-Rublee

On Its 60th Anniversary, Medicaid Is Under Attack Article
Demonstrators gather in protest of Medicaid cuts outside of the U.S. Capitol.

On Its 60th Anniversary, Medicaid Is Under Attack

Historic program cuts enacted by congressional Republicans and the Trump administration threaten the health and financial security of millions of Americans.

Andrea Ducas

The Trump Administration’s War on Disability Report
U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order.

The Trump Administration’s War on Disability

Executive actions, budget cuts, layoffs, and legislation—all enacted in the Trump administration’s first six months—have curtailed disability rights and services, including access to Medicaid and the right to free, appropriate public education.

Plans to test prior authorization in traditional Medicare are deeply troubling In the News

Plans to test prior authorization in traditional Medicare are deeply troubling

In an op-ed published by STAT, Don Berwick and Andrea Ducas discuss a new program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services called “WISeR” and how it would result in countless eligible seniors being denied coverage.

STAT

Donald Berwick, Andrea Ducas

The State of Disabled LGBTQI+ People in 2024 Report
A woman in a wheelchair goes down during NYC Pride March.

The State of Disabled LGBTQI+ People in 2024

New LGBTQI+ Community Survey data from the Center for American Progress and NORC show that disabled LGBTQI+ people experience higher rates of discrimination in public services, education, employment, housing, and health care than their nondisabled LGBTQI+ and disabled non-LGBTQI+ peers.

The Truth About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare Article
A sign that reads “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is seen by a desk.

The Truth About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare

The Center for American Progress and The Arc break down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, exposing how its deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare will lead to benefit losses, increased paperwork requirements, and rural hospital closures that will hurt Americans—especially people with disabilities.

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