Sen. Edward Kennedy - a champion of health care reform and chairman of the Senate's Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee - died at age 77 this morning.
Several of his friends, colleagues and advocacy groups around the country have offered condolences to the family of the Massachusetts lawmaker who's famous for nearly 50 years of work on health, civil rights and labor issues - among other things.
Some are saddened to hear he won't live to see health care reform passed this year. It was recently reported by The Washington Post's Daniel Balz and Hanyes Johnson that Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama for president came with the condition that Obama would make universal health care a top priority.
Below are some of the statements about Sen. Kennedy we received today:
AMA President James Rohack MD said, "Today, the American Medical Association joins the nation in mourning the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. During his many years in public service, Senator Kennedy was a champion for America's patients - working until the end to make improvements on their behalf. For example, Senator Kennedy was a leading voice in efforts to expand access to health care for children and to secure fair health coverage for the mentally ill.
"Earlier this year, the AMA honored Senator Kennedy with its highest award for government service, which is bestowed on those who go above and beyond the call of duty to improve public health," Dr. Rohack said. "His triumphant and deeply appreciated return to the Senate floor after brain surgery last summer helped Congress preserve seniors' access to care by halting steep Medicare physician payment cuts, demonstrating the depth of his commitment to our nation's most vulnerable citizens.
"No doubt Senator Kennedy's legacy will be burnished by his many contributions to improving America's health system over the years - including his work that helped pave the way for this year's effort to provide affordable, quality health insurance coverage to all Americans.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said, "Ted Kennedy was more than a Senate icon who fought tirelessly for the causes he believed in so passionately. He was more than a voice for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather and friend. Working with him for the last 30 years was one of the great honors I've had as a United States Senator.
"Senator Kennedy is simply irreplaceable, and the Senate will forever miss its great Liberal Lion," Baucus said. "Yet, though Ted Kennedy is no longer with us, his legacy and his memory live on forever in the millions of people whose lives were made better through his work.
"In the true spirit of Ted Kennedy we will continue to advance the ideals and issues that were so close to his heart and such a part of his remarkable life. As we all mourn this great loss, his wife Vicki and his entire family will remain in our thoughts and prayers."
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said, "Today America lost a great elder statesman, a committed public servant, and leader of the Senate. And today I lost a treasured friend.
"Ted Kennedy was an iconic, larger than life United States Senator whose influence cannot be overstated. Many have come before, and many will come after, but Ted Kennedy's name will always be remembered as someone who lived and breathed the United States Senate and the work completed within its chamber," Hatch said. "When I first came to the United States Senate I was filled with conservative fire in my belly and an itch to take on any and everyone who stood in my way, including Ted Kennedy. As I began working within the confines of my office I soon found out that while we almost always disagreed on most issues, once in a while we could actually get together and find the common ground, which is essential in passing legislation.
"For almost two decades we alternated as Chairman and Ranking Members of the Senate Labor Committee, now called the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. During this time we were able to come together in a bipartisan fashion to craft some of this nation's most important health legislation," he said. "In the current climate of today's United States Senate it is rare to find opportunities where both sides can come together and work in the middle to craft a solution for our country's problems. Ted Kennedy, with all of his ideological verbosity and idealism was a rare person who at times could put aside differences and look for common solutions. Not many ever got to see that side of him, but as peers and colleagues we were able to share some of those moments.
"Elaine and I express our deepest condolences to Ted's beloved wife Vickie, and their extended family," Hatch added. "I am hopeful that they will find peace and comfort in the memories and life they were able to share with this giant of a man."
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said, "The United States Senate will never be the same without Ted Kennedy. His presence was enormous. He fought hard, debated intensely and worked tirelessly for what he thought was right. Senator Kennedy and I had a different point of view on most every issue, but he was an ally like few others when he was on your side. Senator Kennedy leaves a legacy as a public servant and policy maker, and my wife Barbara joins me in sending our deepest sympathy to his family."