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April 16, 2008
Rep.Kennedy ~ "Mental Health, Drug History Makes Him Stronger Advocate"
Rep. Kennedy Says Mental Health, Drug History Makes Him Stronger Advocate
WASHINGTON
Rep. Patrick Kennedy says his personal struggles to recover from depression, alcoholism and substance abuse have made him a more compelling advocate in Congress for improved mental health care coverage.
The Rhode Island Democrat, a son of Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, played a leading role winning House passage last month on a bill to expand coverage for people needing mental health and addiction treatment.
"My own story gave a lot of my colleagues a comfort level to tell me their own stories, privately," he said in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press. "In the process it tied them into this debate personally in ways I think that gave traction to this legislation early on."
Kennedy, 40, crashed his car into a Capitol barricade in the middle of the night nearly two years ago, and agreed to a plea deal on a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. He speaks publicly about his own recovery in hopes of ending the stigma of mental illness that prevents people from seeking treatment.
Kennedy, who has battled addiction since high school, said he's pleased his father can "see now at this stage of the game that some of my perceived darker moments turned out to be the silver linings in this great battle that I fought."
Those darker moments, he said, "gave me a platform and a credibility and a stature and a human quality in the House as a spokesperson on this issue that allowed me to cut through a lot of the white noise that insulates members from really facing these issues and addressing them honestly when they're being lobbied so heavily by special interests."
Kennedy and his father are on different sides as the House and Senate try to forge a compromise on expanding coverage for people needing mental health and addiction treatment. Big health care, insurance and pharmaceutical interests are waging a high-stakes fight in Congress over what has come to be known as mental health parity.
The younger Kennedy helped lead the push for the House bill that would require equal health insurance coverage for mental and physical illnesses when policies cover both.
His father was instrumental in winning Senate approval last September of a narrower version of the bill with support from business and insurance groups.
The elder Kennedy, D-Mass., has a reputation as one of the most skilled legislators in Congress, often working with Republicans to craft major bills during more than four decades in the Senate. He said he enjoys working with his son, despite their differing views.
"We're always in contact," the senator said. "We talk all the time. There are some important differences, you don't minimize those ... We still have a ways to go, but I think it's important that we are making progress."
The congressman hopes his father can help win GOP support for whatever compromise emerges.
"I am so glad my dad is there with me at the table, because if there's anybody who knows how to work with Republicans and can work as good a deal as possible to try to break this free ... it's my dad," he said.
Wild Thing's comment........
Rep. Patrick Kennedy says his personal struggles to recover from depression, alcoholism and substance abuse have made him a more compelling advocate in Congress for improved mental health care coverage
Going by this train of thought.....Charles Manson should be the next Democrat Attorney General! And Ted Kennedy as the pool life guard and driving instructor.
Posted by Wild Thing at April 16, 2008 02:47 AM
Comments
The Kennedys are a bunch of loons.
The only decent one was Jackie and she wasn't a Kennedy by birth. Even Maria Shriver is changing Arnold for the worse.
They're all a bunch of bananas.
Depression is a serious illness and not to be taken lightly. Yes, it does make you stronger, but Patrick here acts like it's no big thing.
Posted by: Lynn at April 16, 2008 05:27 AM
Ted kennedy is a skilled legislator ? He has all the dirt on everyone there, and can black mail anyone in the Senate. Thats not skill, thats gutter politics.
Posted by: Mark at April 16, 2008 07:35 AM
The Kennedys have some really wacky DNA running through them. Some of that DNA is Orwellion. Up is down and stink is perfume to them.
Even more wacky are the people of New England who elect these Kennedys over and over again.
Posted by: TomR at April 16, 2008 10:41 AM
Lynn he is a jerk and he is using his bad choices in life as a crutch and from the grapevine he hasn't even stopped his drinking etc.
I agree Maria Shriver has had a terrible effect on Arnold. He was never a strong conservative, but he sure was never as left as he has gotten since he got with the Kennedy clan.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 16, 2008 05:11 PM
Mark, I had to laugh when I saw that....."Ted kennedy is a skilled legislator"...what a joke that is.
Yes gutter politics is spot on how to describe him.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 16, 2008 05:14 PM
Tom, they really are treated like some kind of stupid royalty too. When I was in Boston with Nick and when he was doing " Spencer for Hire" I was shocked how people talk about the Kennedy's. And I LOVE Boston it is one of my favorite cities, but oh my gosh, they act like the Kennedy's are their heroes. YUK
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 16, 2008 05:18 PM
"Rep. Patrick Kennedy says his personal struggles to recover from depression, alcoholism and substance abuse have made him a more compelling advocate in Congress for improved mental health care coverage." If that is true, then Sen. Ted "Chappaquiddick" Kennedy's driving history and coverup has made him a more compelling example in Congress for stronger oversight and law enforcement of politicians who think that they are above the law and can buy their way out of any crime.
Remember Mary Jo Kopechne!
Posted by: Les at April 16, 2008 07:54 PM
Les, you're so right!! They are experts at coverup, lies and crime and in our government and it makes me sick.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 16, 2008 11:38 PM
This LOSER was told to avoid SWS:
* JFK PT 109
* Ted Kennedy's Limo Re-enacting the PT 109
* John John's lack of aviation skills
SWS: Boat... Car ... and deeeeee Plane!
SWS = Salt Water Syndrome?
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at April 17, 2008 01:37 AM
Darth. LOL good one!
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 17, 2008 06:00 AM
