Ted Kennedy's Health Bill
There was more than little poignance in this statement that was just issued from Hyannis Port. It concerns something that happened minutes ago in the historic Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building:
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Affordable Health Choices Act:
“This room is a special place. In this room, my two brothers declared their candidacy for the presidency. Today, the nation takes another major step toward reaching the goals to which they dedicated their careers, and for which they gave their lives. They strived, as I have tried to do, for a fairer and more just America – a nation where every American could share fully in the promise of quality health care.
As you vote today, know that I am with you in heart and mind and soul, and I wish very much that I could be with you in person.
I could not be prouder of our committee. We have done the hard work that the American people sent us here to do. We have considered hundreds of proposals. Where we have been able to reach principled compromise, we have done so. Where we have not been able to resolve our differences, we have treated those with whom we disagree with respect and patience. I thank all the members of our committee – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike – for their dedication and devotion to the great cause of quality, affordable health care for all our people.
Extraordinary thanks go to Chris Dodd. No man has ever had a truer or more generous friend than he has been to me, and no cause has ever had a more able leader than he has been in the great effort to enact health reform.
It is a cause that knows no boundary of party, region, or philosophy. It is a cause that can and should unite us all as Americans. We know, however, that our work is not over – far from it. As we move from our committee room to the Senate floor, we must continue the search for solutions that unite us, so that the great promise of quality affordable health care for all can be fulfilled.
As I said, this room is a special place – and I believe our committee's actions have added a glorious chapter to the honor roll of history that has been made here.
Americans are an extraordinary people. We have created a nation of liberty and justice. We have defeated forces of oppression, and we have spread prosperity and progress across the globe. When the American people are on the march, there is no barrier that can resist them, no obstacle that can block their path.
The American people are on the march once more, and they will not stop until quality, affordable health care is the birthright of every American. And we are with them every step of the way.”
On a party-line vote, Ted Kennedy's committee gave him his health care reform bill, the first concrete step toward a goal for which Kennedy has fought for nearly four decades. As he noted, the measure stll has a long way to go before becoming a reality. Four other congressional committees must act, then it must go to the House and Senate floors, and then to what is likely to be a bitter struggle this fall in a conference committee. Its ultimate success is far from guaranteed. But this development--coupled with the unveiling of legislation yesterday by three House committees--means Kennedy's dream of health coverage for every American is closer than it has ever been before.
That Kennedy, who is fighting brain cancer, should not be there for the vote is a sad thing, no matter what side of the debate you are on. And yet, it is in some ways a validation of what had looked like an incongruous choice when he made it all the way back in 1981. Kennedy was returning to the Senate a diminished figure after his failed quest to be President, and by seniority, he had an option at the dawn of the Reagan Revolution: He could become ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, or take the same post at the far less glamorous panel then known as the Labor and Public Welfare Committee. Kennedy picked Labor—a decision he would later call one of the most important of his career. “I felt that it was going to be in areas of human need for the average family that were going to be under greatest assault in the Reagan Administration,” he told the Boston Globe more than a decade later. “And unfortunately, it worked out that way.” This committee also gave him standing to work on health reform, hardly a front-burner issue back then, but one that he would continue to push forward bit by bit, whenever he saw an opening.
When the HELP Committee started "marking up" health legislation in Kennedy's absence a few weeks back, the whole endeavor had fallen into disarray. It fell to Kennedy's closest friend in the Senate--Chris Dodd--to pick up the pieces. "I got saddled with this responsibility, obviously at a late hour," Dodd said wryly as the committee prepared to vote. Yet Dodd's effort was extraordinary, and the bill that emerged is everything Ted would have wanted it to be. Which Republicans are arguing is not necessarily a good thing. “The HELP Committee bill is a complete failure that would make our health care system even sicker than it is today," complained ranking Republican Mike Enzi.
As the process goes forward, the shape of the legislation is certain to change. For starters, it will have to be merged with a more conservative measure being worked on by the Senate Finance Committee. And there will be other compromises between now and the time the bill reaches--if it reaches--Barack Obama's desk. But if this turns out to be the year in which health reform finally happens, it is fitting that Kennedy's committee should be the one to put its stamp on it.
-
1
Thanks for the update! I guess I need to shoot another totally ineffective email to Maria Cantwell.
-
1.1
Aye, Art - I be just doin' th' same!
Ye're ri' tho' - fat lot o' good it'll do wi' 'er.
YARR!
-
-
2
This isn't "health care reform", this is a load of self-gratification on the part of congressweasels who are, on one hand, giving the extinct element unnecessary powers, and on the other, patting themselves on the back for getting it done.
Two phrases come to mind, with all the connotations and contexts:
"Good job, Brownie!"
"Mission Accomplished."
These should be pasted on the door to that committee's conference room as a reminder of the foibles of fooling oneself...
-
3
My God KT it's one thing to report both sides, but could you be any more skeptical of the Democrats ability to produce a signature piece of legislation? Yes, you give a sympathetic pat on the back to Ted for forty years of service trying to get health care passed and you acknowledge that this is a first positive step in that direction, but you also used no less than eight qualifiers testifying to the unlikeliness of this actually happening compared to only three assertions that this thing is happening at all. Now I get that it's not your job to be a cheerleader for any legislation, but shouldn't journalistic equivalence require that you not play the role of chicken little either?
-
3.1
Dee: I covered this effort in 1993 and 1994, and one thing it taught me is not to underestimate the degree of difficulty. This is not about journalistic convention; this is about the knowledge I have gained from having covered this subject for 16 years.
-
3.2
In all fairness, Dee, I'm pretty skeptical of the dem's ability to pass a decent bill too. My guess is that they'll sit there like bumps while the Rs rant about socialism and big government, and we'll end up with an expensive but fairly useless bill that the Rs wil then blame on the dems
-
-
4
"But if this turns out to be the year in which health reform finally happens, it is fitting that Kennedy's committee should be the one to put its stamp on it."
KT, you are tiptoeing quite close to that line between reporting and shilling. I know you've claimed you're just reporting, but in this case, the aberrant concoction being sold as "health care reform" just, well, might not be what Ted Kennedy had in mind.
"I thank all the members of our committee – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike – for their dedication and devotion to the great cause of quality, affordable health care for all our people."
This particular bill does not come close to fulfilling that statement, and saying otherwise is patently false.
-
4.1
Ted Kennedy seems to disagree with you on whether this fulfills his vision.
-
4.2
Obviously his statement is in accordance with what you say, but that is politics, in my opinion.
Politicians always tout their efforts, no news there.
The bill, however, does not fulfill any of these things. I go by what the bill says, not what Ted Kennedy says.
-
-
5
This post is a bit of a cheerlead.
-
5.1
spob, are you in agreement with your critics here?
Really?
-
-
6
Well, I like the story, thanks. Don't hit me in the head with a salmon. That aside, I'm reading the Kennedy struggle / vision thingy – was that the main point here? – and skipping for now the “this bill is NOT an Instant Paragon” stuff. Did I misread this otherwise? I hope Sen. Kennedy shows up for the key votes – break filibuster and final vote – regardless of (or because of?) his health. If he must be carried in, go for it. The media drama alone would drive home his efforts and stick it to the Republicans.
-
7
deconstructiva, I don't understand the question.
-
7.1
re: cheerleading, media
subtopics: shilling, selling out, cashing in, media spindescribing this story by KT as...
are others in agreement with you here - others whom normally are in disagreement with you? just asking
(whether story is / is not said topic is another index...)
-
-
8
Okay, I get what you're saying KT and on any other legislation I would probably agree that past is generally prologue. However, you could at least acknowledge that while your institutional memory is driving much of your skepticism towards the unlikelihood of this legislation passing, you should also acknowledge that this is no longer 1993 and 1994, where we had a president elected with only 43% of the popular vote and a Congress where Republicans were just beginning to assert their power on the American body politic which peaked in 1994 with the Contract for America. In comparison, today we have an administration in place that avoided many of the traps of that era, an opposition that is no longer even a shadow of it former self, despite their ability to puff themselves up and inflate their appearance of power, and a coalition of business interests who recognize the negative consequences for their bottom line without the passage of health reform. Shouldn't these changes in circumstances share equal footing as mitigating factors to historical precedent?
-
9
I was just saying that KT's obvious enthusiasm for health care reform comes through on this post. I get that some people think that Kennedy's plight is poignant (personally, I don't--I don't have any sympathy for those who leave people to drown in a car and who don't face any consequences for it), and I get that health care reform is historic, but KT's support comes through loud and clear, and I was commenting on that.
-
10
Perhaps I'm the only one with this point of view, but the sympathetic view of Kennedy aside, it seems this post is more about how difficult it is going to be to pass health care reform, despite this announcement of a committee victory. Now you can agree or disagree on whether or not this bill contains everything we hoped to have in a health reform bill, and perhaps not being a single payer system is enough to render this bill a failure, but my concern and what I hope others will join me in railing against, is the media narrative that is taking place not only in Karen's post, but is now filtering through the cable news shows that any kind of bill is unlikely, is dead on arrival and will be derailed by abortion etc. the attitude is one that somehow before the first vote has barely been cast that the Democrats don't have enough votes to pass any kind of health reform bill, let alone one that all progressives will agree with. Now as a student of politics, the toughest battle to overcome is always one where you are trying to get the public to support something that they've been made to feel has already failed. Can't we speak to the media driving this meme at the same time as demonstrate our concern for the content of the legislation?
-
10.1
As I pointed out to KT, the "victory" is purely a political ploy by the committee, faced with accepting a bill that is far less than adequate.
Her last statement represents her opinion of the progress of the health care reform process, and, therefore, she is trying to sell it. I'm sure that her convictions about it are real, but she is trying, like others in the media, to drive the debate.
The most effective way to approach this is through the circumventing of the drawbacks of the reconciliation clause is to increase taxes on the wealthy.
That way, by definition, health care reform is on solid ground financially, cannot be picked apart by the opposition, which is not interested in bipartisanship anyway, and can be passed by a 51 vote majory, eliminating the need for blue dogs and GOPers.
This is not to say that it must be a single payer system, or a complete elimination of the private market driven component. All it has to have is the workings that will fundamentally fulfill the statement I quoted above.
And, there is no question that the current bill does none of those things!
-
-
11
I think the crux of my differences with KT's views on this is that she is more willing to accept something less than effective health care reform.
Even partial reform must make a material difference to fellow Americans, and the experiences with Medicare and health care providers' right to refuse it leads me to the conclusions I have drawn.
-
12
spob, fair enough, I understand that point.
I'll take the hit for being contrarian, but I want KT's enthusiasm given her family issues / coverage in her stories. Normally this is nobody's biz but she since this issue directly affects her (and me in my own way but I digress), that would push her to cover HC (lack of) as best as possible, yes? Reporting truth here sucks right now. A dispassionate writer might just scan / parrot the numbers. But are those numbers real? What's the hidden agenda?-
12.1
Th' hidden ultimate agenda be th' creation o' a palatable-appearin' sausage patty.
Wi' lots o' empty filler parts an' lite on th' actual meat.
Big enough t' be coverin' some entrenched, trough-fed congressional asses.
Market an' sold as progress fer th' happy consumption o' th' easily-distracted an' frighten-able citizenry, whilst pr'vidin' lots o' continuin' pork fer corporate health.
Now tha' I be thinkin' th' agenda be no' secret a'tall - an' it be progressin' nicely, if ye be o' th' corporate health industry interests - a nice wee bargain fer yer offerin' o' 30 silver pieces.
Oops - me cynicism be showin'!
YARR!!!
-
12.2
Word!
Too many sausage links in Congress, not enough meatballs, ahem.
Whoever was the first insurance CEO to take his company public vs. mutual, well, I hope he's stranded on a bare island with all of his stolen gold.
-
-
13
spob -- when basic human compassion for the ill or dying becomes universally contingent upon the approval of their public behavior, God help conservatives facing any kind of physical adversities, because you people will clearly deserve the rest of humanity turning their backs.
-
13.1
Nice! I was typing a similar point but it was turning into word salad. Maybe they'll learn what empathy means from Sotomayor.
-
-
14
spob:
I might add that a number of your heroes have their own black marks. Quite a large number in fact.
My guess is that your "compassion" is not driven by any actual conditions, but by political considerations only.
-
15
sorry, Dee, I don't roll that way. Senator Kennedy, in my opinion, is a thoroughly loathesome human being. He left a woman to die; cheated at Harvard, and all this after being born into great privilege. I don't feel sorry for him, and while I don't wish brain cancer on anyone, I believe that Senator Kennedy will make the world a better place upon his exit.
.
And I don't see how you have any business judging me. I have served my country; I have been gainfully employed since adulthood (and before); I pay taxes, and I can confidently say that I give more than I get back from society.-
15.1
I'm not judging you spob, I'm judging your statements, And if I were to follow your standards, the same standards that you are applying to Ted Kennedy, then none of the things you offer up as testament to your good qualities. In fact, according to your standards I would be right to ignore every good thing you have ever done i your life because of the few egregious things I've seen you write on this blog that call into question your capacity for human kindness, respect for those of different cultures, and supply evidence of your racism on a regular basis. The problem with your kind of conservatism and the reason that thee is always so much glee for the Democratic side when your kind fall of your perch, is that you want to set the standards and then never have it applied to you when appropriate.
-
-
16
Spongy - go F yerself!
-
17
My goodness. I go away for six days and come back to a new Swamp! Many things fine about it, but while I couldn't catch up with all the comments for every post, I did read the ones on Karen's post about the new format. People keep mentioning numbers -- once again, I don't see numbers. Do they exist? It would be really great to be able to get to the last comment page without having to click through New posts to see only one new one. Happy to have paragraph breaks, though!
Appreciate Karen's keeping up with the health care issue. There are many steps in the process and at least we are watching much of the sausage being made and can contact our represenatives with more information.
-
18
It's clear you do roll that way, spob, as you relentlessly ignore the shortfalls and deficiencies of your own peers.
There's always that saying:
Let he who casts the first stone...-
18.1
...alas, today there are some social conservatives (not Christians) who would say, "I'm without sin" and start throwing fastballs. I had a former work colleague like that; he was fun to torment. Are there two types of people: those who throw rocks and those who get stoned?
-
-
19
"I pay taxes, and I can confidently say that I give more than I get back from society."
A healty dose of skepticism on that one...
-
20
Ivy -
I've numbers wi' firefox - th' comments be numbered on th' ri' hand side.
An' I be also noticin' tha' since replies t' other posters be no' counted in th' total, a' times I be missin' a bit o' wha' others ('cept fer spongy - never read 'im if I can be helpin' it) be replyin if I just be scrollin' down t' th' "next page" button.
Still gettin' used t' it...
arrgh.
-
21
I do not understand all the negativity. This is a pretty damn good bill. And with OFA putting pressure on the insurance lobbyist's gang of 12, it will become difficult to make it worse. The danger is in conference.
I'd prefer that Reid just bring the House bill to the floor, and dare the Republicans to vote against it. doing so in a bloc would be the road to a 30 seat minority.
-
21.1
...if only Frist had his way with the nuclear option "back then." He never thought the Senate would change hands? HC would be sooooo much easier to pass without kissing up to "Mutual of Omaha" Nelson, etc.
-
21.2
jayack -
Me negativity be wi' th' chances o' makin' it out o' conference fer a vote wi' any semblance o' a real public option.
An' I be secondin' those wonderin' 'bout whether it be a good bill 'cause o' spendin', or 'cause it be pr'vidin' better health care access - I be not sure th' latter be achieved wi' th' bill we be seein' so far.
Arrgh!
-
21.3
An' it'd be fair easy t' bring a till t' th' floor employin' Sanders option o' all 60 (includin' th' risk-averse scaredy-pants) votin' against filibuster, wi' just a bare majority (those possessin' actual testicles) votin' t' pass th' bill.
I be b'lievin' it be goin' t' be more an' more important t' separate th' two (votin fer cloture/votin fer th' bill itself) t' be gettin' any chance fer real reform t' even get t' th' floor.
-
-
22
Article in HuffPo about the ad being run in support of Obama's health plan.
-
23
jayack:
Is it a good bill because it's paid for, or is it a good bill because it actually does something?The second part escapes me. The taxation of benefits is relentlessly stupid, and the burden on the poor imposed by penalties and premiums is compounded by the fact that they will likely be going to the same places they usually go to (trauma centers and community clinics) as medically indigents.
To them, the same bang for a lot more bucks out of an already extremely limited budget!
-
24
Weird, that KT would be supportive of health care reform.
Who do you think you are, KT, for wanting affordable, dependable quality health care for your loved ones?
-
25
Difference between being perfect, which no one is, and being heartless (as Kennedy was).
.
Aaaaaaah, the pirate wench continues her tired crusade. Get over it pirate wench. I've clowned you guys on repeated occasions (including the Sotomayor threads), and you're upset. Don't be so upset--I am just smarter than you are--I don't get mad because I am not talented enough to play point guard for the NY Knicks--i adjust--you should too--we can't all have IQs above room temperature. Your pirate talk is cute, and your colorful language is, well, colorful, but your reasoning skills pretty much amount to "wouldn't it be nice if". Well, yeah, it would be. It would also be nice if I didn't have to have an alarm system in my house too.
- ktumulty @segoertz current members appted during bush admin. Been at work svl yrs. Seems it was a truly academic effort & timing was coincidental. - 9 hours ago
- ktumulty RT @pourmecoffee: Health Care Debate = Groundhog Day. Keep waking up to the same fight over and over again. - 10 hours ago
- ktumulty @wonkroom heard that from gop yesterday on the snt floor. What it missed is that alternative to medicaid for these people is ... Nothing. - 10 hours ago
Most Popular »
- Health Reform: 59 and counting... 60 Votes To Proceed To Debate
- Senate Health Care Vote
- What Would Jesus Buy?
- Glee Watch: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
- 20 Money-Saving iPhone Apps
- Obama Below 50 in Gallup, What it Means
- Modern Warfare 2: This %$#ing Game is #$%ing %^&#ed Up
- Afghan Awakening
- Motorola DROID review (Verizon Wireless)
- Mayan Expert: 2012 Not Just Silly, But “Offensive”
- Can These Parents Be Saved: The Growing Backlash Against Over-Parenting
- Tuition Hikes: Protests in California and Elsewhere
- The Fall of Greg Craig, Obama's Top Lawyer
- Flibanserin Drug: Will 'Female Viagra' Boost Sex Drive?
- 'New Moon' Movie Review: Jacob Ascends in 'Twilight' Sequel
- Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin
- Fat Fees and Smoker Surcharges: Tough-Love Health Incentives
- The Story of Barack Obama's Mother
- Brunch Is Back, Thanks to Low Prices and Endless Booze
- For Churches, Beefed-Up Security Is a Mixed Blessing
Quotes of the Day »
RSS