[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 103 (Friday, July 10, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H7950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HEALTH CARE INNOVATION ZONE PROGRAM ACT

  (Ms. SCHWARTZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, finding a uniquely American solution to 
our Nation's health care challenges means expanding access to high 
quality health coverage, containing health care costs, improving the 
quality of care and achieving better health outcomes. To achieve these 
goals, we have to think in new ways about how to bridge the current 
system's fragmentation, encourage coordination and promote 
collaboration by health care providers.
  Meaningful health care reform requires that we expand delivery of 
care models that encourage teamwork among providers, improve 
efficiencies, and ensure that Americans get better value for their 
health dollars spent. This includes patient-centered medical homes and 
greater access to primary care. We should also expand opportunities for 
doctors and hospitals, including those based in community and academic 
medical centers, to design, implement and evaluate such models of care 
delivery.
  I have introduced the Health Care Innovation Zone Program Act to 
create and expand these innovative models of care. When we provide 
incentives to payers and providers to work together to improve care to 
communities of patients, we will undoubtedly see better health care, 
better health care outcomes and lower costs for all of us.

                          ____________________