HSPH Remembers Senator Ted Kennedy as Champion of Public Health Policy

Over many years of fruitful collaboration, HSPH faculty members and Senator Ted Kennedy worked toward common goals of eliminating health disparities, achieving near-universal health care coverage in Massachusetts and the United States, and reducing the toll of tobacco use.

As Boston and the nation last week grieved over Kennedy's death, several faculty at the School reflected on their work with the senator -- the tough legislative fights, the disappointments, and the considerable accomplishments. They paid tribute to how Kennedy inspired them to public service; how he went above and beyond, phoning at all hours to encourage, to rally, and to sympathize; how he maintained an unrelenting commitment to a fairer system of health care.

"He was the single biggest factor behind keeping national health reform on the agenda for years," said Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis. "For some of the years that he championed it, he asked me as well as other faculty members to serve as advisors. It was a privilege of mine to be able to work with him on some of these efforts."

Kennedy's masterly negotiating skills helped bring about the Commonwealth's broadening of the health coverage umbrella in 2006, a model for national reform, said Christie Hager, an HSPH faculty member who was Chief Health Counsel in the Office of the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2004 to 2009.

"Senator Kennedy's inspiration, personal commitment and direct involvement in the process are central to the history of our landmark legislation to expand access to health coverage in Massachusetts," she said.

Pivotal impact
For some, a face-to-face encounter with the magnetic and forceful Kennedy personality proved literally life-changing.

"Over 20 years ago I met Ted Kennedy and that meeting transformed my life and service to improving the health of America," said Gregory N. Connolly, interim director of the Division of Public Health Practice and former director of the Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program.

Early in his public health career, Connolly met with Kennedy to discuss tobacco control. That initial meeting was followed by numerous conversations, Congressional hearings at which Connolly testified, and attempts to enact tobacco control legislation.

Congress recently passed a bill giving the Food and Drug Administration power to regulate tobacco products. The bill had been championed by Kennedy.

"Ted Kennedy's passing is an enormous loss to public health. I don't see anyone replacing him in my lifetime," said Connolly.

Richmond Award
On November 21, 2002, HSPH conferred its highest honor, the Julius B. Richmond Award, onto Kennedy for his public health policy work. In remarks after receiving the award from then-Dean Barry R. Bloom, Kennedy sounded the same call for health care reform that President Obama is pushing for today.

"The fortunate few can afford the latest in medical technology and the most effective new medications, but too many others are left without the best treatments available in today's health care," said Kennedy. "That disparity is wrong. The American people know it is wrong, and the problem is getting worse."

During a mourning period when Kennedy has been called by President Obama as "the greatest United States Senator of our time," he is being remembered equally for his warm personal manner and thoughtful gestures.

During the lengthy fight for legislation broadening coverage in Massachusetts, "We expected and appreciated his regular calls of encouragement to legislative leaders, which could come at any time of the days, nights, or weekends while we worked," said Hager. "We were assured that he was securing support from Washington, and that he was as eager as we were to see Massachusetts ‘get this done' and break new ground in the quest for universal coverage."

Last conversations
Howard Koh, on leave from the School's Division of Public Health Practice while serving as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health, recalled Kennedy's "constant personal support through the challenging years when I served as Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health."

Koh said he cherishes one of Kennedy's legendary handwritten notes he received in 2003 when he stepped down as Commissioner to join HSPH.

And Koh said he would always remember their final exchange "on a quiet Sunday afternoon several months ago."

"Senator Kennedy telephoned me for what would be our last conversation. He was calling to convey his heartfelt congratulations on my new appointment in federal government. Despite all the grim public concerns about his illness and prognosis, he sounded cheerful, upbeat, positive and hopeful," Koh said.

He added: "As the call ended, we vowed to work closely together to promote public health for the future. So now, as our country attempts to comprehend this incomprehensible loss, his legacy will inspire us for generations to come."

-- Richard Saltus. Photo by Paula Telch.