WASHINGTON : Americans overwhelmingly believe that failure on the part of U.S. policymakers to invest more in medical innovation today will have a “significant long-term impact” on quality of life, employment and economic growth, according to a new Greenberg Quinlan Rosner/Public Opinion Strategies omnibus poll released this morning. The poll, commissioned by the Council for American Medical Innovation (CAMI) and conducted from January 6-10, 2011, was released at “Medical Innovation at the Crossroads: Choosing the Path Ahead,” held today at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

Respondents were evenly divided over whether the United States is losing its edge as the world’s leader in medical innovation and research, a point which participants warned was concerning as complacency could lead to further deterioration of America’s standing in view of key performance indicators.

“Never before in our history has there been a greater opportunity to create jobs, grow our economy and deliver the treatments, cures and breakthroughs necessary to combating the world’s most pressing medical challenges,” said Dick Gephardt, former U.S. House Majority Leader and current Co-Chair of CAMI. “It’s a time sensitive opportunity, but very real, and in many ways, one that comes along once in a generation – one that’s ours to lose if we don’t take the correct actions today.”

“When you think about it, medical innovation can best be characterized as a human and economic value proposition that our nation simply cannot turn down,” said Mike Leavitt, former Utah Governor, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and current Co-Chair of CAMI. “In short, value for our economy, for our competitiveness, for our ability to create jobs, and above all, for our long-term health and wellness. The more we work together to make this issue a national priority today, the stronger our nation will be 5, 10 and 15 years from now. If we rise to the occasion now, the dividends, both economic and human, will be paid in multiples for years to come.”

Among the key survey findings:

* Two-Thirds of Americans Believe Medical Innovation will Lower Health Care Costs: Sixty-six percent believe investing in medical innovation and research in the United States to help prevent and cure diseases will ultimately lower overall health care costs.

* More Than Half Favor Increased Investment: Fifty-eight percent of Americans believe the federal government should spend more on medical innovation and research in order to address health problems such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease.

* Jobs and Cures Top of Mind: Forty-eight percent list jobs and economic growth as top reasons why it is important for the U.S. to be the global leader in medical innovation and research. Equally, 48 percent list the development of new treatments and cures as top reasons.

* Nearly Three-Fourths Cite Consequences of Inaction: Seventy-two percent believe there will be a significant long-term impact on quality of life, employment and economic growth if the U.S. fails to spend more on medical innovation and research.

* R&D Tax Credit, Federal Regulatory Reforms and Public-Private Partnerships Receive Strong Support: Seventy-four percent are in favor of establishing incentives and reforms to the tax code to attract investment in medical innovation and research in the United States; 78 percent support providing government reforms to bring new innovations to market faster and at lower costs, without compromising quality; 81 percent support developing public-private partnerships between government, industry and universities to maximize resources and expertise in medical innovation and research in the United States; and 79 percent support creating economic and other incentives to promote exports of United States-based medical technology and innovation.

“In this new era of divided government, it’s unusual to see an issue that has the potential to unite Democrats, Republicans and Independents,” said pollsters Stan Greenberg and Bill McInturff. “Medical innovation, with the significant benefits it offers to our economy and overall health and well being, represents an opportunity for consensus across party lines.”

“CAMI has helped lay the groundwork for this important dialogue that will benefit every American, regardless of where they live or work,” said Debra Lappin, president of CAMI. “We look forward to continuing to partner with policymakers and leaders in the private sector to turn this dialogue into meaningful action.”

Speakers at today’s event include Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Assistant to the President and Associate Director for Technology, Office of Science & Technology Policy; Dr. Fareed Zakaria, host of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, Editor at Large of TIME, Washington Post columnist and New York Times bestselling author; Dick Gephardt, Fmr. U.S. House Majority Leader and Co-Chair of CAMI; Mike Leavitt, Fmr. Utah Governor, Secretary of Health and Human Services and Co-Chair of CAMI; PhRMA CEO John Castellani; Chris Coburn, Executive Director, Cleveland Clinic Innovations; ITIF President Robert Atkinson and many others.

On Tuesday, CAMI released a new Web video that highlights the impact that medical innovation has had on Americans’ way of life, as well as the significant promise that exists if public and private sector leaders work together to make it a national priority going forward.

For an overview of the poll results, please visit please visit www.americanmedicalinnovation.org. To watch a live video feed of today’s event, visit www.americanmedicalinnovation.org/live.