Few issues touch all of our lives more closely or cause us more anxiety than healthcare. While Americans receive some of the best care in the world, unfortunately our healthcare system has some serious flaws. We see it in the increasing cost of health care and health insurance premiums, the rising number of people who lack coverage or have limited coverage, and lack of access to needed services. And despite the fact that the United States spends more per capita on health care than any other industrialized nation, we still rank far below other countries on key quality indicators such as life span and infant mortality. Clearly, we must address these problems so that we can strengthen our health care system and prevent it from collapse.

Healthcare Affordability
The United States currently has 46 million uninsured individuals, almost 3 million of whom live in New York. Many of these individuals cannot afford to purchase private health insurance due to annual double-digit increases in insurance premiums. MORE»

Healthcare Quality and Technology
One critical first step is to bring our health care system into the 21st century. Right now, technology exists that would allow primary care physicians to push a button and send prescriptions to your pharmacy. MORE»

Medicaid
Medicaid is a vital source of health coverage for millions of children and families, and acts as our nation’s healthcare safety net, providing coverage to more than 50 million individuals nationwide, about half of whom are children. Almost 5 million New Yorkers are covered by the Medicaid program. MORE»

HIV/AIDS
I believe we need to take bold steps to confront and eradicate AIDS and support those living with HIV. I have introduced the Early Treatment for HIV Act , which would allow states to expand Medicaid eligibility to low-income individuals living with HIV, instead of forcing them to wait until they are disabled by the disease, allowing patients access to life saving, life extending treatment and services immediately. MORE»

Influenza Vaccine
Since 2000, our nation has suffered multiple shortages of seasonal flu vaccine. In order to address the factors that contribute to these shortages, I have introduced the Influenza Vaccine Security Act with Senator Pat Roberts to improve our methods of vaccine procument and distribution. MORE»

Medical Research Funding
We live in a time of extraordinary and historic opportunity in medical research, and we need to lend support to research institutions, hospitals and education systems so they can forge a path to revolutionary treatments, disease management and eventual cures. MORE»

Drug Safety
Recently, concerns have been raised about the ability of the FDA to ensure the safety of drugs marketed to American consumers. I believe there is a clear need for post-marketing monitoring. MORE»

Children’s Health
I am strongly committed to the protection and promotion of good health for all our children. One of my major concerns is making sure that our children have access to safe medications. MORE»

Mental and Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse
With an estimated 15 to 18 percent of Americans, including nearly 10 million children, suffering from a diagnosable mental disorder, I recognize how important it is to address this vital part of healthcare.  I am determined to do all that I can to increase understanding about mental and behavioral health and improve access to quality care and treatment for New Yorkers and all Americans. MORE»

Obesity/Eating Disorders
The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and eating disorders is increasing at an alarming rate in our country. It is time that we recognize the causes and costs associated with poor dietary behaviors and physical inactivity and begin to focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and behaviors. MORE»

9/11 Health Effects
A report released in September 2006 by Mt. Sinai shows conclusively that thousands of first responders, workers, volunteers, residents and others suffered mental and medical health problems as a direct result of 9/11. MORE»