Healthcare in the United States is in crisis; forty-five million Americans go without health insurance and millions more cannot afford their insurance premiums.  Far too many Americans get stuck waiting in emergency rooms and struggling clinics for essential care because that is their only access to a doctor.

Brian believes availability and access are critical issues.  In both rural and urban areas of Western New York, there is a critical gap between citizens and healthcare services.  Even though our community is privileged to be home to first rate hospitals and healthcare professionals, critical healthcare workforce shortages exist in all fields and at all levels.  The federal government is and should be a proactive partner in finding solutions to problems of access.  Brian understands the systemic complexity of this program, and he is working to serve as a progressive voice in Congress to find comprehensive solutions so that the quality of healthcare can improve for everyone.  

Brian also believes that universal healthcare is a lynchpin to solving the problems of access and availability to services.  Citizens should not have to make a choice between receiving quality healthcare and putting food on the table.  Unfortunately, that is becoming an all-too-common tradeoff as the cost of living continues to rise unabated.  Brian will continue to support and closely evaluate and scrutinize efforts to provide healthcare for those who are uninsured and underinsured.

Children’s Health
Approximately 505,000 children in New York State are without insurance.  This is simply unacceptable.  Study after study shows that if children receive proper medical treatment from a young age, they are more likely to have long, healthy, and more productive lives.  One of Brian’s top priorities in the 110^th Congress has been to expand the innovative State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover millions of children who currently lack healthcare.  The President has consistently vetoed this legislation, but because Brian believes so strongly that parents should not have to worry about their children having access to even the most basic medical care, he will work with his colleague to make sure SCHIP continues to provide the promise of a better tomorrow for so many children.

The Fight Against Cancer

Cancer is a perilous disease.  When a family member, friend, or neighbor is diagnosed with cancer, communities rally around to support them.  This year alone, nearly 1.2 million people will be diagnosed with cancer, and 560 thousand people will die from cancer.  Brian is frustrated by these stark statistics, and he believes that Congress and the Federal government should do much more to increase funding for cancer research to alleviate the suffering and find cures so cancer patients can lead long, healthy lives.  Brian is particularly outspoken on this issue, and he will continue to fight this battle as long as Cancer remains a top cause of death among citizens in Western New York and across the country.

Western New York has long played an integral role in fighting the war on Cancer, making the calls for increased funding for cancer research even more relevant.  Roswell Park Cancer Institute, one of our country’s oldest and most prestigious cancer research institutes and the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York, has long led the way in providing breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment.  Brian wholeheartedly supports Roswell’s efforts to extend and improve the quality of life of cancer patients, and he understands the ripple affect that federal dollars have on the Western New York community.  Brian will continue to support the efforts of Roswell, as well as the Buffalo Niagara Medical Corridor, as they work to develop a coterie of biotechnology firms whose mission it is to discover the next phase of scientific breakthroughs to help citizens.