With the Republican and Democratic National Conventions now concluded – and nominees for president set in stone, we will be covering health policy proposals from both the Trump and Harris campaigns as they are announced. Last week, Democratic Presidential Nominee, Kamala Harris gave a speech in which she outlined a number of economic priorities for her presidency. While much of her health policy platform is a continuation of the work of the Biden Administration, Harris’ experience as Attorney General of California have influenced her health care priorities.

Health Care Affordability

During Harris’ speech, she touted the successes of the Biden Administration in capping the cost of insulin at $35 under Medicare Part D but went further, saying she wants to both extend the price cap as well as set a $2,000 limit on out-of-pocket expenses in the private insurance market. She also promised to ramp up the speed of the Medicare drug price negotiations started under Biden’s Administration. Harris also vowed to go after Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) who engage in anticompetitive practices that drive up the cost of prescription drugs and to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire in 2025.

Social Determinants of Health

Other topics of discussion in Harris’ speech included addressing housing affordability and rising food costs. Harris talked about multiple economic levers she would pull if she is elected president to address housing: easing federal, state, and local building regulations and zoning issues to build at least three million new housing units to increase supply; granting first time home buyers a $25,000 credit to put towards their down payments; and working to prevent corporate investors from buying up starter homes.

To address rising food costs, Harris vowed to push the Federal Trade Commission to go after large corporate food producers who engage in price gouging and anticompetitive practices. Harris especially took aim at corporate consolidation within the meat industry. While economists generally agree that these corporate practices have contributed to rising food costs, most also say that issues such as supply chain issues, shifting consumer buying patterns, and increased demand are more responsible for increasing food prices.