The Health Care Vote and what might have been

As we approach the end of 2009, we have much to reflect upon. There will be endless columns doing just that, putting some perspective on an extraordinary year in politics and the presidency. In my own life it has been a year of deep personal and professional challenges, changes, disappointments and new beginnings. It has been in many ways the end of an era for me and thus, naturally the opportunity for a fresh start. The deaths of the formidable Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Senator Edward M. Kennedy are a reflection of an era passing. The world is a bit less bright for their loss.

Still, as we watched Harry Reid and the Democrats pass the historic Health Care bill, a cause Ted spent much of his career advocating, it seemed a fitting way to end the year. While we are long way from a bill that President Obama can sign or should sign, and while the process was both messy and unpleasant to watch. Nevertheless, it was an extraordinary moment. As one of the many Americans without Health Insurance the passage of this bill was critical from my point of view. Though, I remain displeased with a good portion of it, including the lack of a Public Option, it remains a step in the right direction.

There are many, myself included, who wondered as Democrats lined up, horse traded and forced the bill to a vote, if Ted's presence would have made a difference? I think probably the answer is yes. His skill would have not only crafted a better bill, but likely he would have found a way to bring at least some Republicans on board. Ted was as good a negotiator and horse trader as you might find up in the United States Senate. While people often point to President Lyndon Johnson, Ted's own ability to bring along those from the opposite side of the aisle should not be overlooked or underestimated. He was as good a horse trader as Lyndon ever was or thought about being, though he certainly was less colorful than Lyndon that's for sure.

What I think is unfortunate about the bill voted on in the Senate was that nobody on the Republican side was brought along. They all seemed determined to walk lock step in opposition to the bill, simply for the sake of opposing the bill. Politics. It was good politics or at least so they have reasoned. I wonder? If Ted were here, I believe the vote would have looked different. I think he would have found a way to bring some of the Republicans along, he would have found a way to make it politically possible and palatable for them to participate in the process.

Ted was not here. The bill passed. The Democrats were elated and Harry Reid is due much of the credit. Still, it was ugly. While I am happy that we are this far in the process, further along than any previous administration has ever gotten, nevertheless, I would far happier if there had been more of a bipartisan effort. I wish there had been more of an attempt to find a way to bring some of the Republicans along. I wish there had been more of an effort to include them, as much effort put on including Republicans as getting those much needed last votes from Joe Leiberman and Ben Nelson.

Would it have mattered? Would Republican have still stayed in lock step, determined that politic points and the next election were more important than millions of Americans without Health Care? I don't know. My instinct is no. If more of an effort had been made to include them in the process, to involve a John McCain, a Lyndsey Graham or Olympia Snowe, the final vote would have been different. Yet, in the end, it became about politics on both sides. The Republicans could claim to stand up to the Democrats and their Health Care Bill. The Democrats could claim a huge historic legislative victory and stood firm against the Republican attempts to obstruct the tide of history.

What was lost in the process was the people. People like myself and so many families who need help and need health care. Ted would have made sure to remind them, that was the mission. He might have said it is not about you, it is not about politics, it is about the people who need help.

While I am thrilled with the victory, messy though it was, still I cannot help but wish it had been more bipartisan, more inclusive and more of a joint effort - the best ideas from both sides. After all, those in need of health care and help are not either Democrats or Republicans, they are Americans who need help, as Senator Robert Kennedy used to say, "they need a leg up, not a hand out" and they don't care about the politics. They just need the help.

Let us hope going forward that the new year will bring more efforts at bipartisanship, more focus on the real goal - which is to bring about health care and help for all Americans.

As Lyndon Johnson once pointed out, "There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves."