Skip to main content

Diseases and Medical Research

I am a strong supporter of medical research. Chronic diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes and heart disease affect 1 out of every 2 adults and kill nearly 2 million Americans every year. Funding through the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Defense provides the possibility of medical breakthroughs in the detection, treatment and ultimately cures for diseases that are creating so many hardships for individuals and families – and that cost our nation enormously in high medical costs and lost productivity.

I have joined with my colleagues to urge that we provide at least $32 billion in funding for NIH in FY2013, which will give us the opportunity to continue research into diseases from Alzheimers and AIDS to vision care and women's health.