Kennedy Preparing Universal Health Care

When Senator Ted Kennedy returns to the Senate he plans to pass universal health care legislation. The Boston Globe reports that Kennedy began laying the groundwork while in Massachusetts undergoing treatment for brain cancer.

Kennedy's strategy for passing the legislation, which would be introduced shortly after Barack Obama is inaugurated if he wins the November election, would depend on finding common ground among a variety of groups such as political parties, business and labor interests. The strategy is based on the perception that previous attempts to pass major health care reform, especially during the Clinton administration, suffered from lack of consensus building.

If politics and his health allow, Kennedy will likely be a central figure in propelling healthcare reform. AARP policy director John Rother has been involved in the process and he told The Boston Globe, "You have got to think this will be the Ted Kennedy Health Reform Act, because he's a beloved figure and he's championed the issue for so long."

Obama is also expected to also work with former rival Hillary Clinton on the issue. The Obama campaign recently hired Neera Tanden, who was Senator Clinton's Senate legislative director and campaign policy director. Her title with the Obama campaign is domestic policy director but Tanden is expected to work on helping to develop the campaign's plans for health care reform.