Ted Kennedy said the following about health care in 1980, in his concession speech to the Democratic presidential convention. What a sad commentary that these words from 29 years ago are just as true and relevant today...
- Matt Zencey, editorial page editor

"We cannot have a fair prosperity in isolation from a fair society. So I will continue to stand for a national health insurance. We must -- we must not surrender -- we must not surrender to the relentless medical inflation that can bankrupt almost anyone and that may soon break the budgets of government at every level. . . . let us resolve that the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth."

"The president, the vice-president, the members of Congress have a medical plan that meets their needs in full, and whenever senators and representatives catch a little cold, the Capitol physician will see them immediately, treat them promptly, fill a prescription on the spot. We do not get a bill even if we ask for it, and when do you think was the last time a member of Congress asked for a bill from the federal government? And I say again, as I have before, if health insurance is good enough for the president, the vice-president, the Congress of the United States, then it's good enough for you and every family in America."