Kennedy-crafted health reform could be introduced in January

While attention is being focused on the plans of the presidential candidates, Sen. Ted Kennedy is organizing efforts for a Senate health reform package that could be introduced as early as January (Source: “Kennedy focuses from home on health care overhaul,” Washington Post, Oct. 24, 2008).

Support for the Kennedy plan would almost certainly get a boost if Sen. Barack Obama were to become president, combined with what will likely be a larger Democratic majority in the Senate. And an unnamed Kennedy aid told the Washington Post that the recent economic crisis likely would have little bearing on whether health reform is passed.

“It's not a question of arithmetic or accounting, it's a question of priorities,” the aid said.
“When AIG needs the money, somehow the money is found. When Freddie and Fannie need it, somehow the money is found. The theory is they're too big to fail. It can certainly be argued that the health care system is too big to fail, but it's failing for millions of people every day."