Your Congress. Your Health.
Where Does Congress Stand
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110th Congress

1. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the agency that funds most of the medical and health research paid for by U.S. taxpayers. Which of the following statements comes closest to your view on funding for NIH?
  • The U.S. must increase investment in NIH to ensure our future health and economic security.
  • Current U.S. funding for medical and health research is sufficient and other budget items are higher priorities now.
  • Funding for NIH is not a priority.
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2. Since 2003, funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been outpaced by inflation. To recover these losses, a coalition of universities, scientists, patients, businesses and associations has proposed a 6.7% increase in NIH funding each year for several years. Do you support or oppose an annual 6.7% increase in funding for NIH in 2008, 2009 and 2010?
  • Support
  • Oppose
  • Don't know
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3. 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.
  • Our health care system is broken and needs a complete overhaul.
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4. Do you think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have health care coverage or not?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know
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5. To ensure all Americans have health coverage, some say Congress should require everyone to have health insurance, the way drivers are required to have automobile insurance. People with higher incomes who do not have coverage would be required to buy insurance, and the government would help pay for insurance for those who can't afford it. Would you favor or oppose such a plan
  • Favor
  • Oppose
  • Don't know
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6. 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
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7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Our health care system should be redesigned to encourage preventing illness rather than dealing with disease only once symptoms are apparent.
  • Agree
  • Disagree
  • Don't know
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8. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is charged with protecting the health and safety of Americans. The President's 2008 budget recommendation continues to cut funding for core programs at the CDC. Which of the following statements most accurately reflects your position?
  • Support the President's recommended funding cuts
  • Oppose further cuts to CDC and maintain current funding levels
  • Increase funding for core programs at CDC
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9. Do you support or oppose increasing federal funding for state and local health departments across the country that are expected to prepare for and respond to threats to our health?
  • Support
  • Oppose
  • Don't know
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10. Current evidence suggests that the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of health care professionals that is predicted to worsen. How important would you say it is for policy makers to create more incentives to encourage individuals to pursue careers as:
Physicians?
  • Very important
  • Somewhat important
  • Not too important
  • Not at all important
  • Don't know
Nurses?
  • Very important
  • Somewhat important
  • Not too important
  • Not at all important
  • Don't know
Pharmacists?
  • Very important
  • Somewhat important
  • Not too important
  • Not at all important
  • Don't know
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11. Should Congress mandate a nationally uniform system of electronic health records?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know
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12. Should Congress use tax dollars to fund a health outcomes tracking system that health care professionals and consumers/patients can easily use to compare cost, quality and what treatments will work best for them?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Don't know
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13. Do you support federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells?
  • Support
  • Oppose
  • Don't know
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14. Do you agree or disagree that mental health services are fundamental to overall health and should be part of any basic health care plan?
  • Agree
  • Disagree
  • Don't know
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15. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "The U.S. is losing its global competitive edge in science, technology and innovation." If you agree, what would you recommend to change this trend?
  • Agree
  • Disagree
  • Don't know
Comments_______________________________________________________________________