Question 1 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

Member's Comments Every other industrialized nation in the world achieves this.

Question 2 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

Question 3 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

Member's Comments The H1N1 virus, for example, does not discriminate based on class; one child getting sick puts all our children at risk.

Question 4 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

Question 5 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

Question 6 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

No opinion

Don't know

Question 7 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 public health

No opinion

Don't know

Question 8 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

Question 9 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

Question 10 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

Question 11 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

Question 12 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

Member's Comments Disease and pandemics know no borders.

Question 13 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

Not too important

Somewhat important

Not at all important

Don't know

No opinion

Question 14 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

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

Don't know

No opinion

Dentists

A top priority

High priority

Somewhat of a priority

Low priority

Not a priority

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

Somewhat of a priority

A top priority

High priority

Low priority

Not a priority at all

Don't know

No opinion

Question 15 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

Question 16 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?

Very important

Somewhat important

Not too important

Not at all important

Don't know

No opinion

Question 17 17. Do you support or oppose expanding federal funding for research using embryonic stem cells?

Support

Oppose

Don't know

No opinion

Member's Comments However, this support only extends to research done with non-viable tissues. I do not support research which uses viable fetuses.