By Video Conference, Sen. Kennedy Starts Planning Health Initiative

[babylonsister]

By Video Conference, Sen. Kennedy Starts Planning Health Initiative
By Drew Armstrong, CQ Staff


Senate Democrats have started game planning for a sweeping health care overhaul bill next year, led by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy , who strategized Thursday with key Democratic players by video conference.

Democrats have made clear that Kennedy, D-Mass., is leading what is likely to be a major legislative initiative next year, despite the fact that he remains in Massachusetts being treated for brain cancer and is not expected return to the Senate until January.

Sen. Tom Harkin , D-Iowa, a senior member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which Kennedy chairs, said the video meeting “was just kind of getting our marching orders from the chairman ... figuring out exactly how we’re going to start arranging our health care legislation for next year.”

Harkin was among several HELP Committee Democrats who spoke with Kennedy Thursday.

“The senator has spoken privately with many committee members recently, but this video conference gave them all the chance to discuss together how best to hit the ground running next January,” said Kennedy spokesman Anthony Coley.

more...:loveya:

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002954776

[BattyDem]

1. He's the best!

:patriot: :loveya: :patriot:

[AFSCME girl]

2. Yay, Teddy!

Thank you for all that you do! :loveya: :patriot: