How Ted Kennedy ' s Replacement Is Impacting Healthcare Reform

How Ted Kennedy ' s Replacement Is Impacting Healthcare Reform

Several months ago, Senator Edward M. Kennedy ( often referred to as Ted ) passed away. Oft - referred to as a " liberal lion ", he was one of the Senate ' s major supporters of healthcare reform and expressed obstreperous support for the public option. His brief replacement, Paul G. Kirk Jr. has taken up the poncho of his former escort. Kennedy ' s death was considered a blow to the prospects of a public option, although Senate Majority Eminence Harry Reid and Flat Speaker Nancy Pelosi have recently renewed them. With a decades - long sway, he had connections with politicians on both sides of the aisle. It ' s doubtful that a relative newcomer will be able to achieve the bipartisan cooperation he asked for in his recent floor speech. Healthcare reform, especially the public option, are very politically divisive issues. Harangue has become even more votary over the gone several months.
What exactly does Kirk want in a healthcare reform bill? During his speech, he assailed the health insurance entry, which he referred to as a collection of " special interests " who profit off of the rank quo. While many politicians in both parties have pointed to a recession as a reason for delaying reform ( or scuttling it without reservation ), Kirk also stated his view that there is an even greater need for reform now, with so many families in need. Identical his predecessor, he supports the public option, telling the Boston Globe that he believes it is the most effective way to increase competition in the insurance market and lower your health insurance reproduce. While not completely discounting the debt resulting from commensurate an ball game, he seems to understand that a New Deal - esque public program for insurance will assist in gambol - opening the economy and eventually pay back in spades.
When it comes to driving the direction of the health care debate, Kirk is in a surprisingly good position - - despite being a new senator with little clout in a lobby ruled by seniority. He also doesn ' t have to worry about re - choosing, for he will sanction office after Massachusetts ' restricted selection in delayed January. As a payoff, different most other legislators, he doesn ' t need to pander as much to either side. Better all, he wants both parties to publicize the way they did in his home state. People across the political spectrum have pointed out flaws in that state ' s healthcare reform program, but the combined efforts of Republicans ( matching as Mitt Romney ) and Democrats on Massachusetts health care reform resulted in almost all of its population ( 97 % ) becoming insured. Coincidental to the overdue Ted Kennedy, Kirk thinks that providing basic healthcare through a public option is a upstanding imperative for the American government. His paragon of finding is a lofty ground zero. Kirk may not be able to overcome this philosophical anomaly with Republicans, who expect private industry is more efficient and that it isn ' t the government ' s job to get so involved ( although some are more open than others to stricter regulation of the health insurance industry ). However, the underlying wrinkle of a health care system that benefits all Americans is one that applies to both parties.
( Likeness: Official U. S. Senate Portrait )