This afternoon I received an e-mail from Ted Kennedy's office.
I had written to thank him for his work for universal healthcare, and especially for Medicare. I have written about it here before, how having Medicare because of my disability saved my life just about two years ago, when a CT scan of my chest showed cancer on my kidney. You see, I knew that if I had had to pay even a percentage of the cost, I would have chosen not to have the scan.
I am alive because Ted Kennedy made sure that Medicare got passed, and has never stopped protecting it.
So I wrote to thank him and to wish him well in his own battle with cancer. I am not a constituent, though I was for many years. I did not expect an answer. The answer was a form letter, but it was a graceful gesture and I was grateful to get it.
Thank you for contacting my office with your concerns about Medicare. I appreciate hearing your views on this important health issue.
Our country faces a serious health care crisis. It is extremely important to me to ensure that older Americans have access to affordable, and effective health insurance.
I will continue to do all that I can in the Senate to protect Medicare, assure its financial stability, and improve its coverage and implementation, so that older Americans have the best possible access to the quality health care they need and deserve.
Medicare is one of the most successful social programs ever enacted. It has served seniors well in the past and Congress has a responsibility to keep it strong for the years ahead.
Sincerely,
Edward M. Kennedy
I got home this evening around 8 PM. When I tried to get online, I could not get a connection. When I finally did connect, I saw the Rec List diary announcing Kennedy's death, and lost the connection again. My computer was in denial. Sadly, I am not. My cousin died a few days ago, and he and Kennedy were close in age. It is all far away and yet very near and very sad.
Ted Kennedy should have lived to see comprehensive healthcare reform. The only reason he didn't is that the opponents of reform made sure that passage would not happen until after the August recess. All the town halls, all the venom and lies we have been hearing this month have been part of these tactics of delay. And so Kennedy did not live to see his life work realized.
He said he would do anything to assure passage of a meaningful reform bill. Maybe his death will do more to spur passage than his vote would have done. I doubt the Senate Democrats will be able to hold out long in the face of this death. Inspiration comes in different ways. Let a strong bill be his memorial.
I know the world does not really need another diary about Kennedy's death, but I needed to write this. I will miss you, Ted. May you finally have peace.