Health Policy Positions of Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris

Following President Joe Biden’s exit from the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to receive the Democratic nomination. Below, we outline the health policy positions she has supported as a Senator, Vice President, and in her 2020 presidential campaign. These policy issues are important topics for managed care pharmacy and relate to AMCP’s strategic priority of optimizing value and access—which focuses on value, access, affordability, technologies, and quality. 

Affordable Care Act
Vice President Harris emphasized the need to preserve the Affordable Care Act alongside President Biden at the March 2024 health care policy campaign. 

AI in Health Care
Harris stated in her 2023 speech at the U.S. embassy in London that the use of AI may be a threat if not used responsibly. However, its use may be suitable for developing new medications and curing diseases. 

Health Disparities
In 2021, Harris stated she would like to invest to increase the diversity of aspiring health care professionals and clinicians through scholarship and loan assistance, saying she would like to increase efforts to address pay disparities and disparities that emerged during the pandemic. 

Maternal Health and Abortion Rights
Harris is a strong advocate for maternal health and abortion rights. She has stated that Medicaid coverage for postpartum women should be extended from two months to a year. Additionally, Harris has spoken out about state abortion laws, including the recent statute in Florida. In March, she became the first VP to visit a clinic run by Planned Parenthood. Harris has defended reproductive health care beyond abortion access, supporting contraception and in-vitro fertilization. 

Medicare For All
As a Senator, Harris supported Medicare for All, which was originally part of the presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT). It is based on expanding Medicare coverage to all Americans for necessary services, such as ER visits, doctor visits, vision, dental, hearing aids, mental health, substance use disorder, and reproductive health care services. Additionally, it would allow the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate for lower drug prices. To implement Medicare For All, Harris suggested a 10-year expansion timeline to enable Americans to buy into Medicare, enroll newborns and the uninsured, and allow time for health care providers to adopt the program. Private insurers would be allowed to offer Medicare as part of their plan but under strict standards set by Medicare. 

Prescription Drug Prices
In her 2019 plan to reduce prescription drug prices, Harris supported price caps based on international best prices. She has supported march in rights, which would allow the government to seize patents on high priced drugs developed using federal research. 

For more policy and advocacy news, view AMCP Regulatory NewsBREAKS and the latest resources.

Geni Tunstall
Director, Regulatory Affairs
Published on July 26, 2024