As the race for the White House intensifies, healthcare has emerged as a key issue, with Vice President Kamala Harris championing comprehensive reforms to expand access and affordability. Throughout her career, Harris has been a strong advocate for healthcare expansion, focusing on building upon the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and addressing gaps that still leave many Americans vulnerable. Her vision contrasts sharply with that of Donald Trump, who has repeatedly pledged to dismantle the ACA without offering an alternative.

One of Harris’s standout proposals is "Medicare at Home," a plan to ease the financial burden on families caring for aging loved ones. Recognizing the challenges faced by adults who simultaneously care for their children and elderly parents, Harris's proposal would have Medicare cover the cost of in-home aides and nurses. This initiative aims to provide families with affordable options that help seniors stay in their homes longer, avoiding the high costs of nursing homes.

The Biden-Harris administration has significantly strengthened the ACA, reversing several of Trump’s policies that undermined its effectiveness. During their first term, they enacted the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which temporarily expanded eligibility for and increased ACA Marketplace subsidies. These subsidies were extended through 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), helping millions of Americans afford coverage.

Additionally, the administration addressed the “family glitch,” which previously left many dependents without affordable coverage options. Harris and her team have allowed families to access ACA subsidies by fixing this issue, improving affordability. They also reversed Trump-era expansions of short-term health plans, which often provided inadequate coverage. They restored funding for outreach and enrollment assistance, leading to record-high enrollment numbers on the ACA Marketplace.

Looking ahead, Harris’s campaign has proposed making the expanded ACA subsidies permanent, ensuring that the progress made during the Biden-Harris administration continues beyond 2025. Her goal is to build on the ACA's successes, making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and comprehensive for all Americans.

Harris has also been vocal about the need to improve access to mental health services, recognizing the rising demand for care in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She has advocated for increased funding to expand mental health programs, integrate mental health services into primary care, and eliminate stigma surrounding mental health treatment. Her proposals aim to make mental health care more accessible by reducing costs, increasing provider availability, and supporting telehealth options.

Donald Trump’s stance on healthcare remains as unclear as it was during his previous administration. He vowed to repeal the ACA throughout his presidency, yet he failed to deliver a replacement plan that would maintain the protections and coverage millions rely on. During the 2024 campaign, Trump continued to speak about making health care “much better” and “far less expensive” but offered no specifics.

While Trump calls to never give up on repealing the ACA, his statements lack the detailed policy proposals necessary to reassure Americans that their healthcare needs will be met. This leaves many questioning what would happen if the ACA were dismantled without a clear replacement. Trump’s rhetoric suggests a return to the uncertain pre-ACA landscape, where millions of Americans struggled with unaffordable premiums and pre-existing conditions often led to coverage denials.

Healthcare reform is more than a policy debate; it is a matter of life and death for millions of Americans. Harris’s proposals seek to address the pressing needs of families, seniors, and individuals requiring mental health services. Her track record of expanding access to care and her detailed plans for the future contrast Trump’s vague assurances.