Issues
Health Care Biomedical Research
It is vital that the federal government
support biomedical research as part of a comprehensive approach
to attacking some of the toughest diseases and conditions.
I strongly believe that research, such as that done with National
Institutes of Health (NIH) support, could hold the keys to
early detection, effective treatment, and perhaps cures for
a wide range of diseases and conditions, such as cancer and
diabetes.
Adequate funding improves the NIH's capacity to fund more
biomedical research and helps expand understanding and knowledge
of etiology and treatment as well as cures for diseases and
ailments affecting public health. I am disappointed that Congress
appropriated only a one percent increase in NIH funding for
fiscal year 2006. This is less than what the NIH needs to
continue its pace of research, and far less than what it needs
to expand that research. I will continue to fight for increased
funding so that we can continue to receive the extraordinary
health and economic benefits from vital biomedical research.
I support stem cell research, an important part of biomedical
research. While I respect the strongly held beliefs of those
on both sides of the debate over federal funding of stem cell
research, I am optimistic about the potential stem cell research
holds for treating a number of diseases and conditions. I
cosponsored the Stem
Cell Research Enhancement Act (S.471), introduced by Senator
Arlen Specter (R-PA), to allow federal funding for certain
embryonic stem cell research. This bill allows stem cell research
only on embryos donated from in vitro fertilization (IVF)
clinics with the express written consent of the individuals
seeking IVF treatment. These embryos would otherwise be destroyed.
H.R.
810, the House companion bill to S. 471, passed in the
House on May 24, 2005 by a vote of 238-194. On July 18, 2006,
I voted for the bill when it came before the Senate and it
passed 63-37. However, despite overwhelming public support
and the support of both houses of Congress, the President
vetoed the bill on July 19, 2006. I will support efforts to
override the veto or pass similar legislation to expand funding
for embryonic stem cell research.
Medicare
| Medicare
Prescription Drug Program | Affordable
Prescription Drugs | Dental
Care | Home
Health Care | Biomedical
Research | Defibrillators
| Health
Care Snapshot
Health
Care Main |
