Wow!
KENNEDY ANNOUNCES NEW NATIONAL HEALTH REFORM ADVISOR
WASHINGTON, DC— Senator Edward M. Kennedy announced today that John E. McDonough will join his staff in Washington as a senior advisor for national health reform.Senator Kennedy chairs the health committee of the United States Senate which will be the focus of the reform effort expected next year.
Senator Kennedy said, “John is one of the most experienced and respected health care experts in the country and I’m delighted that he’s joining us. Quality, affordable health care for all Americans is one of the central challenges of our time and I’m confident that John will make an enormous difference to that cause.”
McDonough said, “It is the honor of a lifetime to be able to work for the nation’s number one leader for universal coverage and national health reform at this crucial time. With Senator Kennedy’s leadership, 2009 will finally be the year we finally get it done.”
Dr. McDonough is well known in Massachusetts for his work as a state legislator, university professor and health care advocate. He currently is Executive Director of Massachusetts Health Care for All.
That's pretty cool. A few months ago we heard John was leaving HCFAMA; but we didn't know for what. John's been a good friend to this blog, an effective advocate, and a cool head, who can take a lot of credit for the passage of Chapter 58. It seems pretty clear that the national debate on health care will essentially the Massachusetts design of market reforms + mandates; John will bring a knowledgeable insider's perspective on what's good, bad, ugly or simply unknown about our own experience.
Oh, and by the way, some 300,000 more people now have health insurance in MA. Not a small matter, either.
Overall, a good pickup for “Mr. Health Care” Ted Kennedy. Congrats to both.
