Washington, DC - Today, the New Democrat Coalition launched a health care initiative aimed at dramatically improving Americans access to quality, affordable health insurance through prevention, innovation and competition.  New Democrats Allyson Schwartz (PA-13), Lois Capps (CA-23) and Jason Altmire (PA-04) have been tasked with leading the effort.  Combined, Schwartz, Capps and Altmire bring over 60 years of health care policy experience to the task force and represent all three major Committees charged with shepherding health care policy through the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The U.S. invests more resources in health care than any other country in the world,” said Congresswoman Schwartz.  “Yet, more than 45 million Americans remain uninsured, and our health care delivery system is too often inaccessible and inefficient.  We can do better- we must do better.  Now is the time to address the shortfalls in our health care delivery system by embracing innovative advancements and effective interventions, and work towards the goal of providing access to high quality, affordable health care for every American.”

The talent, intellect, and entrepreneurial spirit of the American people have made our country the world leader in economic and technological advancements.  However, to date, the U.S. has failed to translate these advantages into a health care system capable of handling 21st century challenges and demands.  In fact, in 2006, insurance premiums reached an average of $11,480, marking an 87% increase since 2000.  Equally disturbing is that Fortune 500 health care costs will exceed profits next year.

"Access to primary care is essential to improving prevention efforts and overall healthcare outcomes,” said Congresswoman Capps.  “That’s why we need to ensure that all Americans have access to the latest in diagnostic technologies and services.  Furthermore, we need to build a health information technology infrastructure that brings medical records and prescribing into the 21st Century and protects the privacy of patients." 

The New Dem health care task force will focus on three areas vital to improving quality and affordability in the U.S. health care system.

Prevention
- Improving and expanding community based prevention through school and workplace based efforts;
- Launching public-private partnerships to change behaviors that lead to chronic disease; and
- Creating seamless health care coverage, including fully portable insurance coverage.

Innovation
- Adopting an interoperable HIT system to ensure information sharing across multiple providers;
- Increasing patient safety and driving down medical costs through comprehensive implementation of e-prescribing; and
- Embracing comparative effectiveness research for new and existing medical procedures, drugs, and devices.
 
Competition
- Allowing consumers to hold providers of health care accountable for both cost and quality of care by promoting value-based purchasing and evidence-based benefits;

- Ensuring that doctors are educated and encouraged to use the most therapeutically effective, and cost efficient, medications first by rewarding use of clinically-based protocols from physician peers; and

- Establishing a timely approval of “follow-on” biologics that leads to billions in cost savings while protecting and promoting innovation.
 
“The challenges facing our health care system – including rising costs, hospital acquired infections, and health disparities - can all be addressed by modernizing our health care system,” stated Congressman Altmire. “Greater deployment of health IT and electronic health records will lead to improved efficiency, high quality care, and a system that rewards providers on patient outcomes, not simply the number of visits, operations, and tests.”

About the New Democrat Coalition

Founded in 1997, the New Democrat Coalition has built a reputation as the "go-to" group in Congress on the critical issues of economic growth, technological innovation, and national security.  New Democrats are committed to enacting policies that encourage economic growth, maintain U.S. competitiveness, meet the challenges posed by globalization in the 21st century, and strengthen our standing in the world.  With fifty-seven House Members hailing from every region of the country, New Democrats are intent on modernizing the Democratic Party and the country.

About the Leaders of the New Dem Health Care Taskforce

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (PA-13), serving her second term in the House of Representatives, is a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee. During her more than two decades as a health care executive and legislator, Schwartz gained extensive and diverse experience in health care policy.  She is well-known for her advocacy of comprehensive insurance coverage, including preventive and cost-effective interventions. As a Pennsylvania state Senator, Schwartz spearheaded the Commonwealth’s legislative efforts to provide health care coverage to the children of working and middle-class families. Her leadership led to the creation of the Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in 1992, which served as the model for the federal initiative that now provides health insurance to millions of American children.

Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23), serving her fifth term in the House of Representatives, is a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.  Prior to her election to Congress, Capps spent over 20 years as a nurse and health care advocate. 

Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04), serving his first term in Congress, is a Member of the Education and Labor Committee.  Altmire has an extensive heath care background.  He earned his Master’s Degree in Health Administration from George Washington University and worked for the Federation of American Hospitals from 1996 to 1998.  From 1998 to 2005, he worked for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), a 19-hospital system with more than 43,000 employees and over $6 billion in annual revenue.

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