Ensuring Access to Health Care

All Americans deserve comprehensive health coverage.

According to the Census Bureau, 47 million Americans under 65 years of age—or 15.8 percent—were uninsured during 2006, up from 44.8 million uninsured American adults in 2005. In 2006, the number of children under age 18 without health insurance increased to 8.7 million—or 11.7 percent of children nationwide. The federal government provides health coverage to some Americans through the Medicare and Medicaid programs and to some low-income children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Unfortunately, many Americans still lack any health coverage.

APHA continues to advocate for legislation to expand access to affordable, quality health care.

Health Reform: Visit the Healthiest Nation in One Generation webpage for information on health reform.

Interview with Dr. Georges Benjamin: APHA's Executive Director, Dr. Georges Benjamin, shares his views on shortcomings in the nation's health care system and how it can be improved. Access the interview webcast, podcast and transcript provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation.  

Reports and Fact Sheets:

• NEW: Holes in the Net: Surveying the Impact of the Current Economic Recession on the Health Care Safety Net
• Medicaid, Prevention and Public Health: Invest Today for a Healthier Tomorrow
• State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization Issue Brief
• SCHIP Overview
• Community Health Centers (fact sheet currently under revision)
• Snapshot of the Uninsured (fact sheet currently under revision)

Letters to the 111th Congress

• Coalition letter in support of the HEART for Women Act (March 4, 2009)
• APHA letter in support of the Vision Care for Kids Act of 2009 (March 3, 2009)
• APHA letter in support of the Prevention First Act (February 19, 2009)
• APHA letter in support of the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2009 (January 29, 2009)
• Coalition letter to the U.S. Senate in support of H.R. 2, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (January 27, 2009)
• APHA letter to the House in support of reauthorizing SCHIP (January 14, 2009)