I strongly support policies that increase access to health care for all individuals. I believe that our health care system must be better managed and that dollars spent on health care must be used in an efficient way.

A Government Responsibility:

In Rhode Island, we have seen firsthand the need for oversight of private health insurance carriers. I firmly believe that the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all Americans have access to choice and affordability in their health care coverage. I am committed to the goal of a national health care system that leaves no one out – universal health coverage can be achieved if the leaders of our country make it a real priority.

Access to Quality Services:

Too many Americans currently go without health care because they are uninsured or underinsured. We must make it a national priority to reach underserved communities and populations with health services. In the absence of universal health coverage, we must ensure the quality of existing employer-based coverage and public programs that provide for so many families. I pledge to continue to be a voice for improved access to health coverage for all individuals, increased federal commitment to state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs and the addition of a meaningful and comprehensive prescription drug benefit for Medicare. As a Member of Congress, I drafted legislation that would guarantee every American a variety of health insurance options. Under my proposal, government, employers and individuals share responsibility for health care.

Research:

From the research centers of the Veteran’s Administration to the projects undertaken by the National Institutes of Health, the federal government plays a major role in ensuring that Americans continue to acquire new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability. In order to capitalize on the tremendous advances in medical research of recent years, it is critical that the federal government maintain its investment in research that can help to prevent and treat many chronic conditions at an earlier stage, saving lives and the country billions of dollars in health care costs.