Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts, whose expertise in health care made her a policymaking leader in the R.I. Senate during her 10 years there, took a prominent role at the winter meetings of the National Lieutenant Governors’ Association in Washington, D.C., on March 15.

Roberts was the only freshman lieutenant governor chosen to lead a policy session – in this case, on the Massachusetts health care reform plan, which she has been watching closely.

“All Rhode Islanders deserve quality health care they can afford,” she said. “The initiative in Massachusetts is a significant step towards this goal, and we must use the lessons of its implementation to create our own opportunities.”

The discussion included Dr. James Mongan, president and CEO of Partners HealthCare and a key player in the development of the Massachusetts plan, who said he’s optimistic about the plan’s chances for success. Mongan added, however, that the plan is specific to Massachusetts and could not be a national model, though it has clearly been a good “catalyst for debate.”