2020 Health Care Legislative Guide

Health care access and cost remains one of the most important problems facing America.

• The uninsured rate in the United States was 9% in 2018 (43.84 million Americans)
• The national unemployment rate jumped from 4.4% in March to 14.7% in April and decreased to 10.2% in July, which has severed millions from their employer sponsored insurance.
• National Medicaid enrollment increased by 844,177 between March and April of 2020. Between March and April of last year, enrollment decreased by 102, 918.

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the need for effective solutions that address both the immediate challenges and the long-term gaps in our health care systems to ensure people can access quality health care they can afford.

Key Messages for Candidates:

• Acknowledge the moment: “Our country is at a pivotal moment. The pandemic, economic recession, and national discussion on race have created a renewed call for action. They have also magnified the critical problems that exist in our health care system.”
• Take an active stance: “It is long past time to examine our systems and address gaps that have existed for decades. We must find solutions and common ground to build a health care system that serves everyone.”
• Commit to prioritizing people’s needs: “I will put people’s health care needs first and I’m already formalizing the ways I gather input and work with community and business leaders to put effective solutions in place.”
• Commit to addressing disparities and finding common ground: “The health care system, as it’s currently structured, isn’t working for far too many. I will work to address the lack of fairness and shared needs to build a health care system that works for all of us.”

Health Care During the COVID Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated the need for effective solutions that address both the immediate challenges and the long-term gaps in our health care systems to ensure people can access quality health care they can afford.  In the wake of COVID, policymakers have a critical opportunity to enact solutions to meet their constituents’ short- and long-term health care needs. The 2020 Health Care Legislative Candidate Guide provides candidates with public opinion data, state-specific health care information, key messages and ideas for your health care platform.

For more information or to seek assistance, contact USofCare at [email protected].