Kennedy Death Adds Volatile Element to Health Fight

[Pryderi]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/us/politics/27health.html?_r=1

Kennedy Death Adds Volatile Element to Health Fight By CARL HULSE and KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
WASHINGTON — The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy has quickly become a rallying point for Democratic advocates of a broad health care overhaul, a signature Kennedy issue that became mired in partisanship while he fought his illness away from the Capitol.

“The passion of his life was health care reform,” said Representative David R. Obey, the liberal Wisconsin Democrat who is chairman of the Appropriations Committee. “Above all else, he would want us to redouble our efforts to achieve it.”

Yet Democrats have serious internal differences on how to approach health care, and Republicans and Democrats remain deeply divided on the policy proposals — a gulf some say Mr. Kennedy was uniquely equipped to bridge.

It seemed unlikely that Republicans would suddenly soften their firm opposition in the aftermath of Mr. Kennedy’s death or that Democrats would relent on their push for substantial change, especially for a government-run insurance plan, which Mr. Kennedy endorsed.

[baldguy]

1. Its only "volatile" for people who strive to find any excuse not to do the right thing.