[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 22968]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HEALTH CARE INNOVATION

  (Ms. SCHWARTZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Finding a uniquely American solution to our Nation's 
health care challenges means expanding health access to health 
coverage, containing costs, improving quality, and achieving better 
health outcomes. To reach these goals, we have to be open to new ways 
to bridge the current system's fragmentation, encourage coordination, 
and promote collaboration.
  As part of health care reform, we are demanding greater quality and 
value. We should challenge our health care providers and civic leaders 
around the country to implement delivery system innovations that work 
for their communities. We should push them to work together and take 
responsibility for the health of people in their area across a full 
spectrum of health services. They can best determine how to integrate 
their community's health care system to make it patient-centered, 
efficient and result in better care and improved health status.
  We must establish clear expectations and accountability, offer 
financing flexibility and incentives to collaborate to meet patient and 
community needs, then monitor the results. I have introduced the Health 
Care Innovation Zone Program Act to spark these initiatives. Done right 
as part of health care reform, we will all benefit in saved lives and 
saved money.

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