Your Congress. Your Health

All members of Congress have been invited to answer the following 17 questions about health and research:

1. In a recent survey, a majority of Americans (77%) say they are dissatisfied with the cost of health care in this country. As you consider health reform, do you think costs can be lowered while improving the quality of care? If yes, how?

Yes
No
Don't know
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

2. 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

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

3. How important do you think it is to include strategies to prevent disease and promote wellness in health reform?

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

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

4. When it comes to rising health care costs, would you say research to improve health is part of the problem or part of the solution?

Part of the problem
Part of the solution
Don't know
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

5. Considering all aspects of health reform, how much of a priority is it to accelerate our nation's investment in research to improve health?

A top priority
High priority
Somewhat of a priority
Low priority
Not a priority at all
Don't know
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

6. 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?

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
Don't know
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

7. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the agency charged with protecting the health and safety of Americans. CDC implements research-based programs to prevent chronic and infectious diseases, lower injury rates, limit tobacco use, protect the population from pandemics, and mitigate environmental health risks. 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 the health of the public
Don't know
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

8. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the 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. 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.
Don't know
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

9. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the agency 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
Don't know
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

10. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is meant to compare ways to prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor health conditions in order to match the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. What effect do you think CER will have on our health system?

CER will help improve health care
CER will limit health care options
CER will have no effect on health care
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

11. How important do you think it is to ensure that a nationally coordinated health information technology (HIT) system allows us to learn from the data gathered – to facilitate research, track disease and disability and evaluate the impact of health reform?

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

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

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

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

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

13. Certain health issues are more prevalent among people with lower incomes and among certain racial and ethnic populations. 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

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

14. 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
Low priority
Not a priority at all
Don't know
No opinion

Physician Assistants

A top priority
High priority
Somewhat 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
Low priority
Not a priority at all
Don't know
No opinion

Dentists

A top priority
High priority
Somewhat of a priority
Low priority
Not a priority at all
Don't know
No opinion

Public Health Professionals

A top priority
High priority
Somewhat of a priority
Low priority
Not a priority at all
Don't know
No opinion

Pharmacists

A top priority
High priority
Somewhat of a priority
Low priority
Not a priority at all
Don't know
No opinion

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

15. How important do you think research is to the U.S. economy?

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

Comments___________________________________________________________________________

16. How important do you think education and training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics is to U.S. competitiveness and our future economic prosperity?