President’s Proposed American Families Plan a Great Step Toward Helping People Live Full, Healthy Lives

(BOSTON, MA) – Today, President Joe Biden outlined the American Families Plan, a $1.8 trillion investment to further help people recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and put them on a better path to health and economic security. The plan makes critical investments in child care, education, paid family leave, fair wages and more. These initiatives would have a particularly positive impact on Black and brown communities, who disproportionately lack access to paid leave, early education and health coverage due to historically racist policies. The proposal would also make permanent the American Rescue Plan’s increased ACA marketplace tax credits for people who buy their own insurance. The increased tax credits have lowered the cost coverage for 3.7 million more people and made coverage free or nearly free for more than 40 percent of people who are uninsured.  

Statement of Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to President Biden’s priorities in the proposed American Families Plan. 

“Good health does not occur in a vacuum and we’re excited to see that the American Families Plan makes great strides in addressing barriers to affordable, high-quality health care, education, child care and paid leave. We are also very encouraged that the plan makes the American Rescue Plan’s ACA tax credit increases permanent to improve access to affordable coverage and care. Together, the provisions of this legislation are a big step forward in supporting people, families, and communities across the country — and they are especially impactful for Black and brown communities who continue to face unfair and discriminatory barriers to health and economic security.  

“We look forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress on an American Families Plan that permanently lowers the cost of coverage for people who buy their own insurance and goes further by reducing prescription drug prices and solving major coverage gaps in Medicare and for people living in states that have not expanded Medicaid.” 

### 

About Community Catalyst: Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable, quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @CommCatHealth.