Saw this mentioned on the front page, but thought it deserved a diary. Teddy Kennedy fought for much of his career for heath care reform.
"Now, Teddy Can Rest"
National Journal reports that after the Supreme Court's health care decision House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called Vicki Kennedy, widow of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), and told her, "Now, Teddy can rest."
Political Wire
In 1980, Teddy Kennedy said the following at the Democratic National Convention:
Finally, we cannot have a fair prosperity in isolation from a fair society. So I will continue to stand for a national health insurance. We must -- We must not surrender -- We must not surrender to the relentless medical inflation that can bankrupt almost anyone and that may soon break the budgets of government at every level. Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge, and let us resolve that the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth.
The President, the Vice President, the members of Congress have a medical plan that meets their needs in full, and whenever senators and representatives catch a little cold, the Capitol physician will see them immediately, treat them promptly, fill a prescription on the spot. We do not get a bill even if we ask for it, and when do you think was the last time a member of Congress asked for a bill from the Federal Government? And I say again, as I have before, if health insurance is good enough for the President, the Vice President, the Congress of the United States, then it's good enough for you and every family in America.
Teddy Kennedy, 1980 DNC speech
He also said:
For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.
Teddy Kennedy, 1980 DNC speech
Thank you Senator Kennedy for all you did for our nation and its people. Yes, now you can rest. We are a little closer today to your goal.
We will make sure the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.