U.S. Rep. Schwartz hopeful about health system reform

Allyson Schwartz, the 3-term member of Congress who represents a bit of Philadelphia and a big junk of Montgomery County, says that 2009 may be the year for fundamental reform of our national health system.

Speaking February 23 in Harrisburg, Schwartz said that what is different about this year "is that the stakeholders themselves - the insurance industry, the hospitals, the physicians and health-care providers, businesses, the unions - have all said, 'we really do want action.'  Once we get to the details, that sort of coalition may break down some, but . . . there is a feeling that we need to take action on this."

Schwartz's remarks are reported by Capitolwire.

On the question of what federal reform will look like, Schwartz said it will not be single-payer health care.  "It's not where the president is, it's not where we're going to end up." 

Prior to her election to the United State House of Representatives, Schwartz was a health care executive and a 14-year member of the Pennsylvania Senate.