Question 1 When it comes to rising health care costs, would you say research to improve health and prevent disease is part of the problem or part of the solution?

Part of the problem

Part of the solution

Candidate's Comments Investing in research and development that will prevent and cure disease is integral to the long term sustainability of health care in the United States. Sponsoring public and private research will avert massive costs and suffering. Limiting wasteful bureaucracy in the public sector while simultaneously incentivizing research in the private sector will produce progress and tangible results.

Question 2  Recent studies have shown that federal investments in health and medical research creates jobs in communities across the country that benefit a wide variety of industries.  Do you support or oppose boosting investment in medical research and innovation as a job creation strategy?

Support

Oppose

Candidate's Comments Tax reform will provide private research companies with the capital they need to succeed in medical research and development. Additionally, we need to restructure the FDA into an agency that is an asset for public and private firms instead of an impediment. If our strategy is grounded in growth and efficiency, jobs and innovation will follow.

Question 3 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) spends approximately $31 billion per year on health research, nearly 85% of which goes to universities, academic medical centers, hospitals, independent research institutes, and small businesses across the country. The NIH budget is decreasing relative to inflation. Do you support or oppose making health research sponsored by NIH a higher national priority, or not?

Support

Oppose

Candidate's Comments We need to objectively evaluate areas of the budget where we are spending wastefully. Not only will such an evaluation eliminate the reckless expenditures that drive the national debt, but it also will allow us to responsibly allocate more resources to basic research programs and agencies such as the National Institutes of Health.

Question 4 Do you believe the federal government should place more emphasis on increasing the number of young Americans who pursue careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, or not?

Yes

No

Candidate's Comments Inspiring the next generation of engineers, doctors, and scientists begins with our primary schools and teachers. I fully support the implementation of tools such as parent choice vouchers, charter schools, and merit based pay systems for educators. In addition, we must reward good teachers, the bedrock of our educational system, and allow them to work in a system not stifled by bureaucracy and archaic work rules. Our educational goals in math, science, and every other industry should not simply be to “keep pace with the world,” but to be the BEST in the world.

Question 5 Would you say government investment in health research for the benefit of military veterans and service members is:

Too much

About right

Not enough

Candidate's Comments Military veterans and service members who dedicate themselves to protecting our rights and freedom around the globe deserve effective and dependable health care. The current level of spending is adequate, but we need to focus on modernizing and improving the delivery of health care. Many agencies in the government could benefit from maximizing efficiency instead of spending more dollars.

Question 6 According to a March 2011 poll commissioned by Research!America, 90% of Americans agree that the U.S. is in danger of losing its global competitive edge in science, technology, and innovation. Earlier this year, it was reported that China is catching up to the U.S. in R&D investment, surpassing Japan as second to the U.S. If you are elected, will maintaining America’s global competitive edge in science, technology, and innovation be a priority for you, or not?

A high priority

A priority

A low priority

Not a priority

Candidate's Comments The United States led the world in science and innovation over the last two centuries. We gained our position by virtue of our commitment to free market principles. If we focus our energy on free markets and free people, we can harness our natural resources and human capital, and return the United States to being a center of innovation, not just the recipients of it. We need emphasize to research and development which will power our domestic economy, while making us competitive in the global economy.

Question 7 The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plays a lead role in protecting the everyday health of Americans by supporting state and local health departments, conducting epidemiological and other health research, and addressing food-borne illnesses, potential pandemics and other public health threats. The CDC budget received a deep cut in fiscal year 2011.  Do you support or oppose making funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a higher national priority?

Support

Oppose

Candidate's Comments The CDC, along with other federal agencies, must be responsible and efficient with the money given to them, before they receive additional credit. If the CDC meets those requirements, they should receive funding for their important responsibility.

Question 8 Since 1981, the federal government has offered a tax credit to businesses pursuing research and development activities. However, because the tax credit is temporary and must be reauthorized periodically, businesses are never certain about receiving the benefits of the credit for longer-term investments. Do you support or oppose making the R&D tax credit permanent, even if that means a permanent reduction in tax revenues?

Support

Oppose

Candidate's Comments A predictable and simple tax code is vital for businesses planning their capital expenditures and long term investments. The benefit throughout the economy from R&D far outweighs the consequence of a relatively small tax revenue loss.

Question 9 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) also plays a key role in the nation’s health, supporting research to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care. The AHRQ budget received a deep cut in fiscal year 2011. Do you support or oppose making funding for AHRQ a higher national priority?

Support

Oppose

Question 10 Does your campaign have a scientific advisor, or not?

Yes

No

Question 11 Our nation’s health care costs attributable to smoking and obesity are estimated at $243 billion. One of the key aims of prevention research is to help Americans make behavioral changes that can help them overcome these and other hazardous and costly health threats. Do you believe the government should play a role in prevention research, or not?

Yes

No

Candidate's Comments The government should play a role in researching various threats and providing general guidelines for healthier living, but ultimately, Americans should be allowed to make their own decisions in their personal lives. Excessive government intrusion into the private lives of Americans will create more problems than it solves.

Question 12 Do you support or oppose expanding federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells?

Support

Oppose

Question 13 The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical treatments, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs and medical devices such as pacemakers. It is also responsible for ensuring the safety of much of the U.S. food supply. Do you believe the FDA receives adequate funding to accomplish its mission, or not?

Yes

No

Candidate's Comments Restructuring the FDA will yield new innovation and investment while simultaneously eliminating waste and unnecessary government controls. Streamlining the FDA will ultimately allow patients to obtain better and safer medicines faster.