Center for American Progress Action

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Strengthening Health

We work to strengthen public health systems 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)
What We're Working On

What We're Doing

Strengthening public health systems

The COVID-19 pandemic and increasing intensity of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters have exposed the many inequities and weaknesses in the United States’ public health infrastructure. We focus on improving health equity by investing in public health; addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that affect health; and preparing for and mitigating future health threats.

Improving access to affordable health coverage

We’re dedicated to bolstering access to affordable, high-quality health coverage options. By building on the Affordable Care Act, closing the Medicaid coverage gap, strengthening the Medicare program, and innovating other progressive health care solutions, we envision a world in which everyone can access high-value care.

 

Lowering health care prices and consumer costs

Health care affordability is a top consumer concern, and out-of-pocket costs for health care and prescription drugs are inaccessibly high for many. One of our key priorities is improving America’s health by protecting consumers and lowering costs to ensure that all people can afford to manage their health. We also work to combat the upstream drivers of high health care costs and prices, including excessive levels of consolidation and anticompetitive health care practices.

 

Increasing vaccination rates to prevent death and disease

Vaccination is key to avoiding preventable illness, death, and economic loss. We promote policies to ensure a robust vaccine supply, to provide people with no-cost access to vaccines, and to combat vaccine misinformation and disinformation.

 

Center for American Progress Action

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By the Numbers

41%

About 4 in 10 adults report having debt due to medical or dental bills.

KFF, “Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs” (2024).

Source

$1B each summer

The health care costs from hospital admissions and emergency department visits due to extreme heat days.

CAP, “The Health Care Costs of Extreme Heat” (2023).

$1.3T

Without reform, Medicare is at risk of overpaying Medicare Advantage plans between $1.3 trillion and $2 trillion over the next decade.

CAP, “Ending Overpayment in Medicare Advantage” (2024).

1 in 3

The proportion of community health center sites that are located in areas of high relative climate vulnerability.

CAP, “Climate-Resilient Health Care Promotes Public Health, Equity, and Climate Justice” (2024).

Recent Work

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Arizona opinion: Shame on Schweikert: Why his support for Republicans’ budget proposal could spell disaster for Arizona Personal Story

Arizona opinion: Shame on Schweikert: Why his support for Republicans’ budget proposal could spell disaster for Arizona

Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick, the medical director of a family planning center, shares the potential threats to health care access that could result from a budget proposal put forward by a group of Republicans in Congress.

Arizona Daily Star

Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick

S. Leo Chiang on ‘Island in Between’ and Taiwan’s Story Podcast

S. Leo Chiang on ‘Island in Between’ and Taiwan’s Story

Filmmaker S. Leo Chiang joins the show to discuss his Academy Award-nominated short documentary, “Island in Between.”

Daniella Gibbs Léger, Colin Seeberger, Kelly McCoy, 12 More Mishka Espey, Erin Phillips, Muggs Leone, Muggs Leone, Muggs Leone, Muggs Leone, Muggs Leone, Muggs Leone, Matthew Gossage, Hai-Lam Phan, Olivia Mowry, Toni Pandolfo

The Affordable Care Act Saved My Life. Donald Trump Wants To Destroy It, Again | Opinion In the News

The Affordable Care Act Saved My Life. Donald Trump Wants To Destroy It, Again | Opinion

Sage Warner, director of Stories at CAP Action, reflects in Newsweek on her experiences advocating against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and describes how the historic health care legislation enabled her to access affordable, lifesaving health care through the ACA marketplace.

Newsweek

Sage Warner

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