Your Candidates. Your Health

Your Congress-Your Health|Your Candidates-Your Health|Research!America

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1. Which of the following statements best describes your view of our current health care system?

Overall, the health care system is working and needs only some minor adjustments ·
Significant changes are needed to make our health care system work much better
Our health care system is broken and needs a complete overhaul

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2. In a recent survey, a majority of Americans (81%) say they are dissatisfied with the cost of health care in this country. If elected, how will you address health care costs for Americans?

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3. Do you agree or disagree that it is the responsibility of the federal government to ensure all Americans have basic health care coverage? ·

Agree
Disagree
Don’t know
No opinion

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4. How well do you think the Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors is working?

Working very well
Working well
Working somewhat
Not working well
Don’t know
No opinion

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5. What strategies would you use to increase the focus on prevention and wellness in our health care system?

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6. Most agree that the use of standardized electronic health records (EHRs) will make the health care system more efficient and reduce medical errors. Do you think the cost of implementing EHRs should be paid for by the public sector, the private sector or some combination of the two? ·

Public
Private
Combination
Don't know
No opinion

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7. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the agency that funds most of the medical and health research paid for by U.S. taxpayers. Since 2003, funding for the NIH has been outpaced by inflation. Which of the following statements comes closest to your view on funding for NIH?

Funding for NIH is not a priority
Current U.S. funding for medical and health research is sufficient and other budget items are higher priorities now
The U.S. must increase investment in NIH as a critical strategy to improve health care

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8. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is charged with protecting the health and safety of Americans. In recent years, funding for core programs (such as chronic disease and injury prevention, tobacco control and environmental health) at the CDC has been cut. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects your view?

Funding for CDC core programs is not a priority
Maintain current funding levels for CDC core programs because other budget items take precedence
Increase funding for core programs at CDC to improve public health

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9. The Veteran’s Administration (VA) supports health research at VA facilities nationwide. In the proposed budget for 2009, research to improve health primarily for veterans is cut.Which of the following statements most accurately reflects your view?

Funding for research supported by the VA is not a priority
Maintain current funding levels for research supported by the VA because other budget items take precedence
Increase funding for research supported by the VA

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10. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the lead federal agency charged with funding health services research, which seeks to rapidly translate discoveries from research into medical practice and improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of health care. From 2002 to 2007, funding for AHRQ was cut or remained flat. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects your view?

Funding for AHRQ is not a priority
Current funding for AHRQ is sufficient and other budget priorities exist
AHRQ funding should be increased as a strategy to improve health care quality and safety in the U.S.

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11. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety and effectiveness of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics and products that emit radiation. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion?

Funding for FDA is not a priority
Current funding levels are sufficient for FDA to fulfill its mission
Current funding levels for FDA are not keeping pace with accelerated drug and device creation or the increasing globalization of food supplies and should be increased

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12. How important would you say it is that the U.S. work to improve health globally? If important, please describe how you plan to increase our nation’s role in promoting and improving global health. If not, please explain why.

Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
Don’t know
No opinion

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13. Studies show that certain health problems are more prevalent among people with lower incomes and among minorities. How important do you feel it is to conduct research to understand and eliminate these differences?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not too important

Not at all important

Don’t know

No opinion

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14. Do you support or oppose increasing federal funding for state/local health departments and hospitals across the country that are expected to prepare for and respond to threats to our health?

Support
Oppose
Don’t know
No opinion

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15. Current evidence suggests that the U.S. is experiencing shortages and/or poor distribution of certain health care professionals. How high a priority would you say it is for policy makers to create more incentives to encourage individuals to pursue careers as:

Physicians

A top priority ·
High priority
Somewhat of a priority
Not too much of a priority
Low priority
Not a priority at all
Don’t know
No opinion

Nurses

A top priority ·

High priority

Somewhat of a priority

Not too much of a priority

Low priority

Not a priority at all

Don’t know

No opinion

Dentists

A top priority ·

High priority

Somewhat of a priority

Not too much of a priority

Low priority

Not a priority at all

Don’t know

No opinion

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16. Do you agree or disagree that mental health services should be part of all health care plans in the public and private sectors?

Agree
Disagree
Don’t know
No opinion

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17. Comparative effectiveness research compares two alternative treatments for the same condition to see which works better for the average patient. Many feel Medicare and private insurers should only cover the most effective treatment. Others feel, since comparative effectiveness only determines which treatment works best on average, the ultimate decision as to what treatment to be used should be left to doctors and not the government or insurance companies. Which is closer to your own view? Do you feel that:

Comparative effectiveness research should be used by insurers and government to deny coverage for treatments that are less effective on average
Comparative effectiveness research should be used to inform patients and doctors but the decision on which treatment to use should be made by patients and doctors, not government or insurance companies
Don’t know
No opinion

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18. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "The U.S. is in danger of losing its global competitive edge in science, technology and innovation." If you agree, what approach would you take to change this trend?