Lion’s absence at centre of ‘life’s cause’ leaves huge void

SENATOR Edward Kennedy’s death comes as a political struggle appears to be chipping away at the Democratic power-broker’s vision for what he called “the cause of my life”, providing affordable healthcare coverage to all Americans.

After decades of laying the groundwork to overhaul the US healthcare system, Kennedy was forced into a limited role in the fight to enact such legislation since being diagnosed in May 2008 with brain cancer. Yet despite being away from Congress most of the year, Kennedy, one of the most effective lawmakers in US history, managed to help draft a preliminary bill to overhaul the $2.5 trillion (€1.7tn) health system.

Between chemotherapy treatments, the ailing liberal lion stayed in contact, the best he could, with colleagues and President Barack Obama, who at Kennedy’s urging, made healthcare reform his top domestic priority.