Kennedy Hands Healthcare Overhaul to Dodd
Washington
Sen. Chris Dodd is emerging as the face of a Senate plan to overhaul the nation’s health care system in the absence of Congress’ acknowledged expert on the subject, ailing Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
Republicans already are griping about being frozen out, saying that Kennedy wouldn’t treat them that way.
“I’ve never worked a process on any bill with him that went like this, where there was absolutely no input taken from the other party,” said Sen. Mike Enzi of Wyoming, the senior Republican on the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee that Kennedy chairs.
“I do feel badly that Sen. Kennedy is not able be here,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, ticking off the major health care and other legislation the two have written together. “He is the only one who can say Orrin is right, and get the riffraff out of the room.”
There is still a possibility that the Massachusetts Democrat could attend critical work sessions that begin next week, Democrats said. But for the first time, there is little doubt that Dodd, D-Conn., will now steer the legislation from the helm of the health committee, working with Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., to find a way to pay for it.
“Sen. Kennedy has asked (Dodd) _ that’s his best friend in the Senate _ to take over the work on health care,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters.
“I don’t like to make it official. He’s the chairman,” Dodd said of Kennedy in a brief interview between appointments.
Dodd and Kennedy are in almost daily contact. Dodd also had dinner at the senator’s famous family compound in Hyannis Port, Mass., on Sunday with Kennedy and his wife, Vicki.
“He looked pretty good to me,” Dodd said. “He’s up walking around, sitting at the dining room table, and out on the porch.”
Wild Thikng’s comment…….
If Kennedy had been under Obamacare, his only treatment for brain cancer would have been enough morphine to make his passing as painless as possible. He would not have had surgery or any other treatment at his age. However, as a Senator and a Kennedy, the rules for peons would not have applied to him.
….Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Wasn’t Dodderhead a doctor in real life? We don’t need the kind of healthcare reform they want to do. Why can’t they admit it’s very socialistic. I feel for people who either don’t have health insurance or can’t afford it (if it’s because of a legitimate reason, not just sitting on their butts at home whining about not having anything when their kid has $500 sneakers!) but I work hard for my benefits and I feel since I earned them, I should get the best my plan can offer.
So Dodd, one of the main architects of the banking crisis, is going to be a main writer of our soon to be socialized medicine plan. Oh boy! Everyone except the ultra rich and the politicians will be screwed. Bayer aspirin will be $10 each.
I for one don’t want socialized healthcare.
I have private insurance paid for by previous employer. The only time I had a problem was when I switched off of Blue Cross to CHP (managed care) and they refused coverage of needed oral surgery for my son. I finally did a government appeal (and was told by CHP that it would be a waste of time because they win in about 99% of the appeals. Within 2 weeks I had a letter saying that CHP was overturned and must pay. I don’t believe it would have been as easy if it was a totally government run plan. I have since switched back to Blue Cross and am free to see any Dr.
We have seen with the Chrysler bailout and the pushing of bondholders to the rear of the line that the government can’t be trusted. Further with Obama we can see more clearly than ever that they can’t be trusted.
And like Lynn says the insurance is not a gift but was won with concessions on pay and other benefits through the years.
Bob A.
I wish a slow and painful death for Kennedy. Slow and very very painful.
They truly have no conscience. I know Connecticut doesn’t allow recalls but there is impeachment . Christopher Dodd and Barney Frank of Massachusetts are criminals, protected by their rank and file Congressmen (amazing, aren’t they all?), the citizens should demand a recall or impeachment, if not at state levels then at national levels, for their violation of their oaths of office just for starters.
Shit, those minions of both states would just replace them with puppets like California did with Arnold Schwarzenegger, when Gray Davis was recalled, to further bankrupt the nation.
Dr.Christopher John Dodd graduated from Georgetown Preparatory School, Potomac, Md. Thus the Md, Dodd earned a Juris Doctor at the University of Louisville, he’s a friggin’ lawyer!!!” Where was Mr. Dodd from ’66-’68? . Nevermind, just thinkin’ out loud about a better time.
Cuchieddie, me too!!! Sir Edward is coming up on his 40th anniversary of his July 18, 1969 murder of Mary Jo Kopechne. Wasn’t home at the time but sure knew where his family had sent me for my vacation, ’tweren’t Chappa quid Dick,Cape Cawd, or Kennebunghole Maine neither.:) Sorry, my friend, too early in the day for this shit. F’it I’m off for a 3 finger shot of Old Grand-Dad, straight!!!
Read this morning the AMA(American Medical Association) wants nothing to do with Socialized medicine. They have the signature of 250,000 doctors.
And stated that a single payer plan will certainly bring down the quality of care. Where some bureaucrat will determine who gets to see the doctor or a PA (Whoopie).
Dodd is the worst one to turn Health Care over to. No I don’t think he was really a doctor. First of all, he’s too stupid to even get through Pre-Med let alone Medical School, intership, and a 2 year residence. The only thing Dodd is good for is making a Waitress Sandwich.
Lynn, you are sooo right, if they do this
it will effect so many things that the Obama
fans are not even thinking about. They just
like the sound of something given to them I
think.
Tom, your right, of all the people…Dodd.
Well most of them on the left would be
horrible but DODD? sheesh
All my online friends in England and
Canada are saying they are praying we
don’t have this happen. I try to explain
how there is nothing we can do about it
expcept watch the train wreck happen. Then
I just ask them to pray.
Bob A., yes your right, if all our insurance
was government run you might still be
waiting to hear back. I have a friend in
England that has been waiting for over a
year to get into a physical therapist for
her back surgery. And the surgery she had
to wait almost two years to get that.
cuchieddie, I heard today one of the
dems wants it to cover every single
insurance meaning none of us would
be able to have our own again. But
that was shot down pretty fast, I hope
it stay shot down. But still all the
rest of it is bad too.
Jack, I am sorry, I know it is upsetting.
Everything from Obama ticks me off. Thank you
for the links and information Jack.
Mark, thank you for that about the AMA.
Thanks WT, I just lost it a bit this morning, none of my anger was aimed at anyone here and certainly not at you. Did I mention that I have an intense dislike for Ted and Chris? Peace and love.