America has made significant progress expanding health insurance since the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But many gaps in coverage remain, particularly for people with low incomes and people of color. It’s critical to center the national discussion about improving health care access on people who have been marginalized.

The U.S. spends more on health care than almost any other country and achieves worse outcomes, in part because we systematically neglect and under-fund other social supports. That’s why we need to advance proposals that meet the unique needs of different subgroups, address structural inequities, and generate equitable health outcomes.

CLASP has identified the following principles for all stakeholders to consider:

• Health care is a fundamental human right. All persons should receive comprehensive, affordable, and equitable health care that addresses their needs.
• Changes to our health care system must explicitly promote equity and address health disparities.
• Funding must be designed and implemented in an economically progressive manner.
• Universal coverage and health equity depend on successful and thoughtful implementation, administration, and policy.
• Addressing health outcomes requires attention to the social determinants of health.

Read this brief to learn more.