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Aug 26, 2009

Senator Kennedy Revered as Leader in Health Care

Statement re: death of
Senator Kennedy
August 26, 2009

The National MS Society is deeply saddened at the passing of Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy (D-MA), a prominent leader in the United States Senates since 1962.

Throughout his political career, Kennedy was an outspoken advocate for health care, civil rights and education, among other issues affecting people in need. He was chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee where, most recently, he championed major legislation on health care reform.

Kennedy’s monumental contribution to health care has upheld a special focus on the rights of individuals with disabilities and chronic diseases. He also helped advance the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). He had recently introduced The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act (S. 697), which designed a national, voluntary disability insurance program to help applicable individuals and their families pay for services and supports that they need to maintain independence and functionality in order to be active participants in their communities. The CLASS Act has been included in the health care reform discussions currently under consideration by Congress.

He was a tireless leader for the disability community as a whole, but Kennedy also proved to be a reliable ally for people living with multiple sclerosis specifically. In 1995, he received the honor of being named the National MS Society’s Senator of the Year. More recently, he had repeatedly supported the program for MS research funding under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) – a program funded via the Defense Appropriations Act – by signing onto the letter asking his colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to consider including this important program in the appropriations bill.

Last year, MS was included in the CDMRP for the first time ever and received a $5 million appropriation for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. While the final outcome for this year’s funding level has yet to be determined, the House of Representatives has allocated $6 million for MS in the CDMRP for FY 2010. The Senate is expected to evaluate their version of the appropriations bill in September.

Senator Kennedy’s leadership on behalf of people with MS and all chronic diseases or disabilities will be greatly cherished. His legacy will contribute to helping us move closer to a world free of MS.

Our thoughts are with the Kennedy family and the extended family of Kennedy staff and friends across the country.
 

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