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Marching Toward Coverage: How Women Can Lead the Fight for Universal Healthcare
A lively, clear explanation of the American healthcare reform movement from a noted expert—giving women the tools they need to demand fair and affordable coverage for all people
Healthcare is one of America’s most dysfunctional and confusing industries, and women bear the brunt of the problem when it comes to both access and treatment. Women, who make 80 percent of healthcare decisions for their families, are disproportionately impacted by the complex nature of our healthcare system—but are also uniquely poised to fix it.
Founder and CEO of Day Health Strategies Rosemarie Day wants women to recognize their trouble with accessing affordable care as part of a national emergency. Day encourages women throughout the country to share their stories and get involved, and she illustrates how a groundswell of activism, led by everyday women, could create the incentives our political leaders need to change course.
Marching Toward Coverage gives women the clear information they need to move this agenda forward by breaking down complicated topics in an accessible manner, like the ACA (Affordable Care Act), preexisting conditions, and employer-sponsored plans. With more than 25 years working in healthcare strategy and related fields, Day helps the average American understand the business of national health reform and lays out a pragmatic path forward, one that recognizes healthcare as a fundamental human right.
Healthcare is one of America’s most dysfunctional and confusing industries, and women bear the brunt of the problem when it comes to both access and treatment. Women, who make 80 percent of healthcare decisions for their families, are disproportionately impacted by the complex nature of our healthcare system—but are also uniquely poised to fix it.
Founder and CEO of Day Health Strategies Rosemarie Day wants women to recognize their trouble with accessing affordable care as part of a national emergency. Day encourages women throughout the country to share their stories and get involved, and she illustrates how a groundswell of activism, led by everyday women, could create the incentives our political leaders need to change course.
Marching Toward Coverage gives women the clear information they need to move this agenda forward by breaking down complicated topics in an accessible manner, like the ACA (Affordable Care Act), preexisting conditions, and employer-sponsored plans. With more than 25 years working in healthcare strategy and related fields, Day helps the average American understand the business of national health reform and lays out a pragmatic path forward, one that recognizes healthcare as a fundamental human right.
240 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2020
7 people are currently reading
1008 people want to read
About the author
Rosemarie Day
2 books15 followersRosemarie Day helped lead the launch of health reform in Massachusetts in 2006, which became the model for the Affordable Care Act. She has been working on health reform ever since, and is passionate about universal healthcare and women's health issues. She is the founder and CEO of Day Health Strategies, a successful mission-driven, woman-owned consulting firm that just entered its 10th year. She is also a mother, a breast cancer survivor and an activist. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Marching Toward Coverage: How Women Can Lead the Fight for Universal Healthcare which will be published by Beacon Press in March, 2020. Additional bio information can be found on her website: www.rosemarie@rosemarieday.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 19, 2020
I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this book, which is thoroughly researched and makes a reasonable case for providing healthcare coverage to ALL Americans. It's NOT a "Medicare for all" book. If you want an approachable way to get educated on our screwy system and some ways to fix it, check it out.
September 7, 2020
Activism and healthcare education are coupled in this compelling argument for universal coverage. Built on the women’s momentum of 2016, the midterms wins and the collective reckoning of the modern woman, anyone who reads this will be inspired to take action.
June 7, 2020
Have you ever felt invisible, discriminated against because you couldn’t pay, or worse, suffering without hope? This is how people with no health insurance feel. In America twenty-eight million women, men and children experience this many days. And most are working!
Rosemarie Day's first book thoroughly examines the political, operational, and financial costs of universal healthcare, along with the benefits. She explores the relationship between national values and healthcare as a human right in the same way as education, housing, and food. Day advises the US to find a consensus that healthcare is a human right before beginning to discuss the specific details of a universal healthcare program. She asks, "Do we want to make healthcare a right like education? Or keep it as a commodity, like a car?"
The history of health insurance in the US and other developed countries is reviewed and dispels the myth that other developed countries have only government-owned health systems. Most have a combination of employer-sponsored and public programs. Day proposes that since 49% of US residents are already covered by employer-sponsored health insurance, the combination of private and public coverage would make the most sense for the US. Medicare and Medicaid and other public programs cover 36%. Individual plans cover 6%, which leaves 9%, or twenty-eight million Americans who need health insurance.
The US currently spends $3.65 trillion on healthcare. Day identifies three possible ways to fund universal healthcare: renegotiate pharmaceutical rates, increase tax rates on top earners and reevaluate defense and prison spending. These and other examples are priority spending discussions worth having.
In a chapter called "Coverage Alone Isn't Enough," Day challenges the reader to consider the components of American lifestyle needed to support quality health. She calls these components social determinants: education, social supports, racism, pollution, and affordable housing. If your life has all of these components, take a minute and think about what life would be without one or two or all of them.
According to the Department of Labor, women make 80% of the healthcare decisions in the family. They know first-hand the need for healthcare. When the Affordable Care Act was in danger of repeal in 2017, it was women who made 86% of the calls to Congress defending it, specifically they were concerned about losing family coverage for preexisting conditions. Day suggests that women can stand up again to support universal healthcare.
Day is well-positioned to write a book on universal healthcare coverage. She is CEO of Day Health Care Strategies, former Chief Operating Officer for the MA Medicaid program and founding leader of the MA Health Connector.
Day drives this book with facts (many facts), passion, and humor. She includes a comprehensive view of health and systems that keep someone healthy. She reminds us that our future depends on women who are "delivering 100% of the population," then goes on to discuss the underinsurance of maternity healthcare. Concerns for families without adequate maternity coverage are consistent with my daughter's experience. She had a $3,000 prenatal and maternity care deductible, which she kept up with paying during her pregnancy. The day her son was born, she was astounded to learn that his $3,000 deductible kicked in.
Day is a pragmatist. She believes that even in this environment of political division in our country, there is hope that we will do the right thing. After all, the right for women to vote only passed by one "aye" in Tennessee 100 years ago.
Day wrote this book to activate women to stand up for universal healthcare. "Women are an untapped resource of leadership, voices, donations, and very importantly, votes," she said. In the 2016 presidential election over one-third (42 million) of eligible women did not vote. The book includes a Personal Activism Assessment to determine where the reader falls on the activism wave. It starts with being informed, then to showing up, and finally running for office. Not everyone will take the last step, but supporting other women who run is activism!
The bottom line says Day is, "No one's health is truly a right until everyone has access to good, affordable healthcare." When we prioritize the health of our citizens equal to the economy, twenty-eight million uninsured people become more productive contributors.
I highly recommend this book for women and men. The pandemic is magnifying the need for universal healthcare. Together, we can make it a reality. This is still America, dammit!
By Elizabeth Kilcoyne, April 19, 2020
Rosemarie Day's first book thoroughly examines the political, operational, and financial costs of universal healthcare, along with the benefits. She explores the relationship between national values and healthcare as a human right in the same way as education, housing, and food. Day advises the US to find a consensus that healthcare is a human right before beginning to discuss the specific details of a universal healthcare program. She asks, "Do we want to make healthcare a right like education? Or keep it as a commodity, like a car?"
The history of health insurance in the US and other developed countries is reviewed and dispels the myth that other developed countries have only government-owned health systems. Most have a combination of employer-sponsored and public programs. Day proposes that since 49% of US residents are already covered by employer-sponsored health insurance, the combination of private and public coverage would make the most sense for the US. Medicare and Medicaid and other public programs cover 36%. Individual plans cover 6%, which leaves 9%, or twenty-eight million Americans who need health insurance.
The US currently spends $3.65 trillion on healthcare. Day identifies three possible ways to fund universal healthcare: renegotiate pharmaceutical rates, increase tax rates on top earners and reevaluate defense and prison spending. These and other examples are priority spending discussions worth having.
In a chapter called "Coverage Alone Isn't Enough," Day challenges the reader to consider the components of American lifestyle needed to support quality health. She calls these components social determinants: education, social supports, racism, pollution, and affordable housing. If your life has all of these components, take a minute and think about what life would be without one or two or all of them.
According to the Department of Labor, women make 80% of the healthcare decisions in the family. They know first-hand the need for healthcare. When the Affordable Care Act was in danger of repeal in 2017, it was women who made 86% of the calls to Congress defending it, specifically they were concerned about losing family coverage for preexisting conditions. Day suggests that women can stand up again to support universal healthcare.
Day is well-positioned to write a book on universal healthcare coverage. She is CEO of Day Health Care Strategies, former Chief Operating Officer for the MA Medicaid program and founding leader of the MA Health Connector.
Day drives this book with facts (many facts), passion, and humor. She includes a comprehensive view of health and systems that keep someone healthy. She reminds us that our future depends on women who are "delivering 100% of the population," then goes on to discuss the underinsurance of maternity healthcare. Concerns for families without adequate maternity coverage are consistent with my daughter's experience. She had a $3,000 prenatal and maternity care deductible, which she kept up with paying during her pregnancy. The day her son was born, she was astounded to learn that his $3,000 deductible kicked in.
Day is a pragmatist. She believes that even in this environment of political division in our country, there is hope that we will do the right thing. After all, the right for women to vote only passed by one "aye" in Tennessee 100 years ago.
Day wrote this book to activate women to stand up for universal healthcare. "Women are an untapped resource of leadership, voices, donations, and very importantly, votes," she said. In the 2016 presidential election over one-third (42 million) of eligible women did not vote. The book includes a Personal Activism Assessment to determine where the reader falls on the activism wave. It starts with being informed, then to showing up, and finally running for office. Not everyone will take the last step, but supporting other women who run is activism!
The bottom line says Day is, "No one's health is truly a right until everyone has access to good, affordable healthcare." When we prioritize the health of our citizens equal to the economy, twenty-eight million uninsured people become more productive contributors.
I highly recommend this book for women and men. The pandemic is magnifying the need for universal healthcare. Together, we can make it a reality. This is still America, dammit!
By Elizabeth Kilcoyne, April 19, 2020
May 8, 2020
An entertaining, thought-provoking read
In Marching Toward Coverage, Rosemarie Day powerfully integrates a passionate plea to extend healthcare coverage with a logical, fact-based analysis of our current healthcare system and potential paths forward. That combination of emotion and logic makes for entertaining reading that left me with a lot to think about.
Officially, Marching focuses on the path towards universal healthcare coverage (which is different than 'Medicare for all'). While healthcare coverage is covered, the book goes further, approaching such questions as:
Can we build a better healthcare system?
What might such a better healthcare system look like, especially in terms of payer?
How does American society need to change to deliver better health?
And who is best positioned to lead us to such a promised land?
In each area, Rosemarie articulates core elements of her own perspective while providing the reader enough facts to develop their own answers.
Especially after reading Marching, I fully agree with Rosemarie Day that healthcare is a human right. That current health technology and workers are capable elements in a disintegrating, patchwork system with insufficient focus on many social health determinants. And that women are powerfully positioned to deliver improvements. While I disagree with some of the details, Rosemarie’s overall story is clear and compelling, and the text is worth reading.
If you’re interested in a coherent overview of the current US healthcare system, the future of that system, or the role of women in delivering change, I strongly recommend Marching Toward Coverage by Rosemarie Day.
In Marching Toward Coverage, Rosemarie Day powerfully integrates a passionate plea to extend healthcare coverage with a logical, fact-based analysis of our current healthcare system and potential paths forward. That combination of emotion and logic makes for entertaining reading that left me with a lot to think about.
Officially, Marching focuses on the path towards universal healthcare coverage (which is different than 'Medicare for all'). While healthcare coverage is covered, the book goes further, approaching such questions as:
Can we build a better healthcare system?
What might such a better healthcare system look like, especially in terms of payer?
How does American society need to change to deliver better health?
And who is best positioned to lead us to such a promised land?
In each area, Rosemarie articulates core elements of her own perspective while providing the reader enough facts to develop their own answers.
Especially after reading Marching, I fully agree with Rosemarie Day that healthcare is a human right. That current health technology and workers are capable elements in a disintegrating, patchwork system with insufficient focus on many social health determinants. And that women are powerfully positioned to deliver improvements. While I disagree with some of the details, Rosemarie’s overall story is clear and compelling, and the text is worth reading.
If you’re interested in a coherent overview of the current US healthcare system, the future of that system, or the role of women in delivering change, I strongly recommend Marching Toward Coverage by Rosemarie Day.
April 11, 2020
A must read book, especially during this time of coronavirus pandemic. It's been too easy to fuss around the idea of basic healthcare for all for too long, getting stuck in political quagmires. Day gives us a nice balance of stories about real people with enough facts to keep us well informed, presenting a strong argument that the time for basic healthcare for all is now, and that women are well positioned to lead our country there.
Her writing is accessible. Her chapter describing our historical lurches, forward and back, towards expanded health care access is concise and eye opening. Who knew Richard Nixon was a supporter of expanding health care access?! Her chapter on the social factors (or social determinants) that affect health is very well written and one of the best explanations I've seen relating social factors to the direct delivery of personal health care. Finally, her final chapter, urging us all to take the action that we are able to is, is passionate, clear, and moving.
I can't wait to see what Day does next, in this time of rapid change.
Her writing is accessible. Her chapter describing our historical lurches, forward and back, towards expanded health care access is concise and eye opening. Who knew Richard Nixon was a supporter of expanding health care access?! Her chapter on the social factors (or social determinants) that affect health is very well written and one of the best explanations I've seen relating social factors to the direct delivery of personal health care. Finally, her final chapter, urging us all to take the action that we are able to is, is passionate, clear, and moving.
I can't wait to see what Day does next, in this time of rapid change.
July 14, 2021
This book was very practical and motivating, with lots of helpful insight into how our country’s healthcare system was created and built and the many many holes in it. The call for healthcare as a human right is absolutely clear, and there is a pragmatism I can appreciate. I also appreciate the acknowledgment that universal healthcare is also inextricably linked to other social services and that social determinants of health play a huge role in outcomes. The book is sometimes a little dry, which is sort of hard to avoid in policy I think. Also reading it in 2021, when we’re struggling to get out of COVID and maybe just maybe the attacks on the ACA have finally been squashed once and for all, has me wondering what’s changed; I think the applicability a few years later is the biggest factor in giving 4 stars.
September 23, 2020
This book is phenomenal! Thank you so much Rosemarie Day for writing it! I learned a ton and found it super accessible and compelling. It's a primer on the merits of different universal healthcare. It shows how women have led and will lead the fight for universal healthcare. Yet, it also provides everyone everywhere with a pathway to participation. It shows how we can reach across the aisle (and pull people across it when necessary) to ensure that healthcare is treated as a human right.
January 26, 2021
Good study on why we need universal health care in the U.S. Sad, that we still don't have it. And often how the burden to provide healthcare falls on women. And how women and minorities suffer the most from the lack of health care for all.
Well thought out book. I wouldn't call it enjoyable, because it just shows how much further we have to go, in this country.
Thanks to the publisher for making this book available for an honest review.
Well thought out book. I wouldn't call it enjoyable, because it just shows how much further we have to go, in this country.
Thanks to the publisher for making this book available for an honest review.
October 30, 2020
This is a must read for anyone who is confused and frustrated by all of the rhetoric and politics surrounding healthcare. After reading this book, I have a clear understanding of the issues to feel comfortable participating in conversations, and I am inspired to make a difference. Thank you Rosemarie for writing this important book!
March 8, 2021
I enjoyed taking a deep dive into the history of health care in America. I did not realize that the United States is one it the only developed nations that does not have universal health care.
It was also interesting to read about the different types of universal health care systems that are currently in use in countries like Germany and Canada.
It was also interesting to read about the different types of universal health care systems that are currently in use in countries like Germany and Canada.
March 24, 2022
I did like this book. It had a nice balance between stories and data which I think is required for a book like this. However, I would have like if this book took a more intersectional approach to feminism and healthcare. I wish the author had talked more about how race, disability, ethnicity, etc. intersect with feminism and how those factors affect a woman’s ability to access healthcare.
January 10, 2024
Ideas in this book are manageable. I felt that some was very obvious, but she brought up ideas I appreciate and I found much of it educational. Easy to read and understand.
March 3, 2020
A VERY timely read! Rosemarie Day's book provides an approachable way to learn about our broken healthcare system and how we got where we are today. Through personal narrative and a feminist lens, she provides pragmatic solutions to how we can make healthcare a right in this country. This is a great book for students, academics, healthcare professionals, and lay readers alike (this issue affects us ALL)!
Universal health coverage and "Medicare for All" are NOT the same. We CAN achieve universal coverage through other means. Find out how in "Marching Toward Coverage".
Universal health coverage and "Medicare for All" are NOT the same. We CAN achieve universal coverage through other means. Find out how in "Marching Toward Coverage".
June 5, 2020
I won a copy of this book.
I've had to deal with the American health system for too many of my years. Between an autoimmune disorder and fibroids (so.many.fibroids!) I've become a firm believer in: If you don't have your health, you don't have a life. And since life is one of the three big promises in the US, we really should have a basic healthcare system that covers everyone.
Rosemary Day makes a very compelling argument for America to move to a Universal Healthcare. Day sets out with giving a good basic idea of how we got to this point in our history. She argues that Women are the ones to get it done, as so many changes come about because of them.
I've had to deal with the American health system for too many of my years. Between an autoimmune disorder and fibroids (so.many.fibroids!) I've become a firm believer in: If you don't have your health, you don't have a life. And since life is one of the three big promises in the US, we really should have a basic healthcare system that covers everyone.
Rosemary Day makes a very compelling argument for America to move to a Universal Healthcare. Day sets out with giving a good basic idea of how we got to this point in our history. She argues that Women are the ones to get it done, as so many changes come about because of them.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews