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Kennedy Raising Voice Again on Health Care

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 30, 2009 11:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – Ted Kennedy is back, and ready to make the more liberal argument for health care, Politico reports. The ailing senator had been working on the issue behind the scenes as he battled brain cancer, but yesterday his committee began circulating a 12-page “policy overview” on a potential bill. The day before, he wrote an op-ed in the Boston Globe explaining the major features of his approach.

Though the overview largely gels with the ideas Finance Chairman Max Baucus is considering, advocates think Kennedy ultimately aims to pull Baucus left. Kennedy is said to want a public insurance option, paying slightly more than Medicare rates, and insurance subsidies on a sliding scale for families with income 500% above the poverty line. He also wants to expand the federal children’s health care initiative to anyone age 26 or younger, up from the current 18.

President Obama speaks with Ted Kennedy at the White House Forum on Health Reform, March 5, 2009.
President Obama speaks with Ted Kennedy at the White House Forum on Health Reform, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Ted Kennedy reacts to the crowd after he arrived with President Barack Obama at the White House Forum on Health Reform, March 5, 2009.
Ted Kennedy reacts to the crowd after he arrived with President Barack Obama at the White House Forum on Health Reform, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Ted Kennedy listens as President Obama speaks at the White House Forum on Health Reform, March 5, 2009.
Ted Kennedy listens as President Obama speaks at the White House Forum on Health Reform, March 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
riffran
Jun 1, 2009 12:10 PM CDT
mary Jo would be so proud
northeast
May 31, 2009 1:17 AM CDT
I'm getting the impression that Newser readers aren't big fans of reading anything more than a few paragraphs. Does anyone want to read the actual plan and discuss it?
SBS
May 30, 2009 11:37 AM CDT
CS what does this site say?

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