Kennedy set for major push on health bill

[babylonsister]

Kennedy set for major push on health bill


HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION

Major health care legislation introduced or co-sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy that became law:

1966: Helped create a network of neighborhood health centers through an amendment to the Economic Opportunity Act
1986: Employment Opportunities for Disabled Americans Act
1990: Americans with Disabilities Act
1992: Mammography Quality Standards Act
1994: Family and Medical Leave Act
1996: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
1997: State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Source: Sen. Edward Kennedy's office



By Kathy Kiely, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — When he endorsed Barack Obama for president in January, Sen. Edward Kennedy said it was because his young colleague "understands what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called 'the fierce urgency of now.' "

Ten months later, the haunting quote that Obama made a theme of his campaign holds an even deeper significance for Kennedy.

Though battling incurable brain cancer, the 76-year-old Massachusetts Democrat returned to Capitol Hill this week. He's a man on a mission that so far has proved impossible: enactment of comprehensive health care legislation that would provide coverage for the nation's estimated 47 million people who don't have health insurance.

"I am looking forward to working with Barack Obama on health care," Kennedy said Monday as he headed to a luncheon with his staff after a six-month absence. The senator leaned on a silver-headed cane but otherwise looked hale, his trademark white mane intact despite continuing cancer treatments.

Kennedy's reappearance six months to the day after he had the seizure that led to his brain cancer diagnosis sets up a potentially dramatic race against time as he seeks to cajole the notoriously slow-moving Senate into delivering the capstone of his four-decade legislative career.

more...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-11-20-Kennedy_N.htm

[Oregone]

1. Though I respect Kennedy and his past work...

Im wondering if he is going to put forth the proper solution, or rather create a legacy by slapping his name on something fallible. Is this going to be a cure-all single payer system, or is he going to jump on the train of "Universal" (mandated private insurance) Health Care. I guess time will tell.

[babylonsister]

4. Universal healthcare is his top priority...

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/11/kennedy_creates.html

[Oregone]

6. Yes, but some people use UHC to mean "mandated private insurance".

It depends on what UHC means to someone. It definitely means different things to different people these days.

[Odin2005]

2. GO TEDDY!!!

:yourock:

BTW, I think his dogs are adorable!

[Odin2005]

3. oops, double post...

[demodonkey]

5. Go Teddy, but make it something worthwhile -- get with Conyers & make it Single-Payer!

What a legacy to leave us, even if it doesn't pass now someday it will -- and it will be the Kennedy Bill.

Stick with a half-assed insurance-driven system and, well......... :shrug: