Health Care as a Right of Citizenship

This ambitious book examines how the American health care system must be further reformed to bring it closer in line with the ideals of a modern democracy, as well as how the ACA may change in the coming years. It suggests the next, natural step in the realization of health and well being as a fundamental human right.

Gunnar Almgren is a professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Washington and a faculty research associate at the University of Washington Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology. He is the author of The Safety Net Health Care System (2011) and Health Care Politics, Policy, and Services: A Social Justice Analysis, Second Edition (2012).

Janet M. Bronstein, University of Alabama at Birmingham, author of Preterm Birth in the United States: A Sociocultural Approach:
This clearly written book offers a concise review of the unique history of the U.S. health care and health insurance system, a well-reasoned presentation of the ethical basis of a universal right to health care, a comprehensive examination of the Affordable Care Act in the context of these ethical principals, and a map for the way forward, taking historical trajectory and ethical aspirations into account. What an invaluable resource for the health policy readership!

Edward F. Lawlor, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis:
Almgren's book on health reform could not be more timely. In the aftermath of the US presidential campaign, where the concept of a right to health care reemerged (as well as calls for complete abandonment of the Affordable Care Act), we need a principled, historically grounded, thoughtful, and yes, radical rethinking of the American dilemma of health care coverage. This book knits it all together and makes compelling sense of our confusing health care policy world.

Colleen Grogan, University of Chicago:
For the past two decades health scholars have documented the existence and prevalence of health disparities with a recent intentional shift away from additional documentation of health disparities to a focus on possible solutions for achieving health equity. Almgren's book argues that these micro level efforts may be largely in vain if we do not also address the larger systematic design issues. This book can be used to assess the multiple dimensions of equity in the US health care system, and to develop health care reforms to remedy where equity falls short.

Karla Washington, University of Missouri:
Almgren presents an extensively detailed and well-sourced story of the precursors to the Affordable Care Act of 2010, a "principled critique" of the ACA as it currently stands, and a proposal for the path (or paths?) forward. The book is beautifully written and a great read.