The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is greatly saddened by the loss of Sen. Edward Kennedy, a lifelong champion for quality health care for everyone.
Senator Kennedy proclaimed health care to be the cause of his life -- the hope that every American "will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not a privilege." He spent five decades in the Senate championing this goal, in addition to many other fundamental civil and human rights issues.
"Several years ago, Senator Kennedy said, 'Let us at long last make the basic right to health care a reality for all,'” said Emily Spitzer, NHeLP Executive Director. “NHeLP has been honored to work with the Senator and his staff over the past 40 years, and we hope that Congress passes truly comprehensive health reform legislation that would make the Senator proud and honor his memory. Senator Kennedy will be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, their children, and the entire Kennedy family during this difficult time."