U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz, who has helped address some of health care’s biggest issues, was recently honored with the American Medical Association’s Dr. Nathan Davis Award.
Rep. Schwartz was one of six award recipients this year, and was nominated by Marilyn J. Heine, MD, president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Darrell G. Kirch, MD, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges. She is currently serving her fourth term representing Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District.
“Throughout her career, Congresswoman Schwartz has demonstrated a unique ability to be a thought leader on health care issues and effectively move ideas toward reality,” said Dr. Heine.
Rep. Schwartz’s leadership led to the creation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which served as the model for the federal plan, SCHIP. She also has advocated for a number of issues important to both physicians and their patients, including:
- Permanent repeal of the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula
- Provisions to end pre-existing condition exclusions for children
- Increased benefits for seniors and eliminating copayments for Medicare’s preventive care services
- Requiring insurance companies to use uniform and simple language under the Affordable Care Act to simplify the process for shopping for insurance
- Improved access to coordinated care through patient-centered medical homes
- Increased opportunities for medical training to develop a more robust physician workforce
“She has an in-depth understanding of health care policy, realizes that health system reform will have significant and unanticipated effects across the broad spectrum of stakeholders, and is engaged in efforts to optimize outcomes for patients and providers,” said Dr. Heine. “Rep. Schwartz’s role as a champion for a permanent solution to the Medicare physician payment system is especially appreciated. This issue impacts access to care for seniors and military families and affects health care jobs.”
The Dr. Nathan Davis Award recognizes federal, state, or local government officials whose exceptional work promotes the art and science of medicine and the improvement of public health.