Kennedy creates healthcare working groups

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who made clear that universal healthcare is his top priority when he returned to work Monday in the Senate, announced today that three working groups of the committee he heads will explore key issues.

One group, led by Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, will work on prevention and public health. Another led by Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland will work on improvements in the quality of care. And the third, led by Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, will work on insurance coverage.

Clinton, of course, led the failed healthcare reform effort during the Clinton presidency 15 years ago. And if President-elect Barack Obama picks her as his secretary of state, Kennedy would need to find a replacement.

“Our committee is fortunate to have the services of major leaders who are committed to improving health care for the American people," Kennedy, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, said in a statement. "Senator Harkin, Senator Mikulski, and Senator Clinton have generously offered to step forward and assume an expanded role on critical aspects of health reform. I commend them for their leadership, and I look forward very much to working with them, with all our colleagues on the committee and throughout Congress, and with the Obama Administration to achieve the goal at long last of quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.”