After a difficult year, 2021 begins on a hopeful note: a COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out, and an incoming administration and the 117th Congress, which begins today, are poised to improve our health care system.

On To the Point, Commonwealth Fund President David Blumenthal, M.D., and colleagues Elizabeth Fowler and Rachel Nuzum offer their health care predictions and prescriptions for the year ahead. They expect a greater sense of normalcy in the second half of the year when a critical mass of people has been vaccinated for COVID-19. They also believe the incoming administration, supported by strong public sentiment, will take on health equity and social justice in its policymaking.

The Commonwealth Fund stands ready to support public and private actors who share the goal of providing affordable, quality health care to all and expanding health equity, which the authors say will be critical to controlling the pandemic and restoring economic productivity.