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All of us have known one of the millions of Americans who has been diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-altering disease or disability. With the ever rising costs of health care, Steve believes the federal government must invest in prevention programs and health research.
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, he also delivers millions in federal funding to improve care and local hospitals and fights every year for increased support for ongoing research at the National Institutes of Health.
 Delivering Federal Funds for North Jersey Hospitals: As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Steve works constantly to secure the federal support and dollars that the municipalities and people of the 9th District deserve. Since coming to Congress in 1997, Steve has delivered over $21.9 million to expand emergency rooms and enhance the quality of care at local hospitals, including Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, Holy Name Hospital, Meadowlands Hospital, Palisades Medical Center, Valley Hospital, Garden State Cancer Center, and Christian Health Care Center. Pictured at left, Rep. Rothman and New Jersey's Senators announce progress on a mobile hospital designed to respond to bioterrorism incidents in urban areas .
Increased Funding for the National Institutes of Health: Health-related research can do much more than help find cures for
diseases. Research has led to new diagnosis and detection procedures,
as well as prevention methods. The more we know about a particular
disease or disability, the better our chances are of preventing new
cases. Research must continue so that these types of discoveries can provide
answers to the questions we all have about different ailments. Steve has consistently advocated for increased federal funding for the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and other ongoing health care research.
 Understanding Autism: Steve is a recognized advocate in the autism community. He has testified on the issue before Congress and co-sponsored critical legislation, including the Combating Autism Act, which became law in December 2006. He was recently profiled in a Bergen County magazine for his efforts to successfully secure increased funding for the National Institutes of Health.
"Only
with additional research will we be able to better understand
autism, find effective treatments and prevention methods, and
hopefully, someday soon, develop a cure for this terrible disease.
My nephew Jack has autism, so my family's ongoing
experience has impressed upon me how critical it is for us, as
a society, to give those with autism and their families the support
they need to fight this devastating disease," says Steve.
Fighting for Universal Health Care: Steve continues to fight for
health care reform. In a recent newsletter, the Congressman wrote: "The
United States needs to completely overhaul our health care system to
provide universal, affordable health care for all. And we already have
the model: Medicare, the federal health program for seniors. Medicare
covers 100% of our most vulnerable population. It is, in all regards,
universal health care for America's seniors. And, Medicare provides
quality care without the long lines and problems that face other
nations' universal health care systems. Medicare for all should be our
new universal, single-payer health care system. This approach would end
insurance company profiteering and replace the inefficient, emergency
room based way we care for today's uninsured population."
In Support of Ethical Stem Cell Research: Steve has consistently advocated for federal support of ethical stem cell research. "I believe we have a moral obligation to do everything we can to help the millions of Americans suffering from disease. That is why we must investigate new technologies and support them with federal funding. I have long supported increased access to ethical stem cell research as long as that research prohibits the creation or cloning of human embryos.
"I have co-sponsored and voted in favor of legislation that would permit federal funding to be used for embryonic stem cell research. This area of research holds the key to easing the pain and suffering of so many of our friends and family members," says Steve. Read his full statement on this issue.
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