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Ted Kennedy on Health Care
"Health reform will benefit all our citizens, reduce the financial burdens on our nation's businesses, and put the healthcare industry itself on a sustainable basis." - Edward M. Kennedy, Boston Globe Op-Ed, May 28, 2009
Senator Kennedy Calls For a Decease In Drug CostsKennedy dedicated his time in the senate largely to one issue: guaranteeing affordable and manageable health care for all Americans. For Kennedy, medical crises are of personal relevance: he suffered massive injuries after surviving a devastating plane crash, his sister Rosalie battled mental illness her whole life, his father suffered a debilitating stroke, and his own son lost a leg after a battle with cancer. Subsequently in 2008, Senator Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor after having a seizure. As a result of the health issues that have plagued his family, Kennedy exhibited extreme empathy for the struggles that everyday Americans face with health care costs and coverage, and made it his life-long goal to enact policies that make it easier for families across the country to enjoy proper medical care and treatment. He was a passionate believer that health care is a fundamental right that should be provided to all Americans, and subsequently has aspirations that someday we will have a national health care system in place.In his tenure as a Senator, Kennedy voted to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid in order to give more American’s access to the care they need. He fought for a Patient's Bill of Rights and the lowering of perscription drug costs. Kennedy also had a hand in expanding insurance coverage to mental illness through the Mental Health Parity Act.
Kennedy lost his battle with brain cancer prior to having his greatest health care goals be realized. On June 10th, 2009, Kennedy released the Affordable Health Choices Act, which would provide long-term care from the federal government for a low monthly rate as well as make it easier for individuals with pre-existing conditions to secure coverage. It would be the first step in fixing a health care system that is dreadfully broken. The Act also allows individuals to keep their existing health care coverage if they so choose. The Affordable Health Choices Act would also focus on prevention of chronic illness and disease. Long-term provisions within the Affordable Health Choices Act would make it easier for the elderly to remain in their own homes while providing the necessary care, rather than moving to nursing homes and losing independence. Senator Kennedy committed himself to health care reform and continued to represent all Americans by taking the strides necessary to ensure everyone has affordable and quality health care and coverage, up until his tragic passing. Click here to read what Senator Kennedy has to say about the benefits of fixing our broken health care system through the Affordable Health Choices Act.
Despite losing his battle with brain cancer, Senator Kennedy pledged himself to the fight for health care reform that would provide universal coverage for all Americans. It is our greatest hope that Congress will pass significant reform that Kennedy would be proud of, although he unfortunately will not be present to see these dreams realized. He explained his unfaltering commitment to health care reform in a personal essay published in Newsweek on July 18, 2009. Click here to read "The Cause of My Life: Inside the Fight For Universal Health Care". To view a timeline of Senator Kennedy's brushes with the health care system and the meaningful health care reforms he has helped pass, click here.
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