Can Healthcare Reform Become Reality Without Sen. Kennedy?

The committee's ranking minority member, Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY), who had worked with Kennedy on earlier bipartisan health legislation, had commented about the process that "I don't think Sen. Kennedy would have treated me this way."

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), in continuing meetings with Senate Finance Committee members, has been seeking bipartisan support for its healthcare reform package. But whether he will be able to hammer out that support in the Senate and on Capitol Hill is proving to be a struggle and may more difficult no doubt without Kennedy's presence.

Meanwhile, many of the healthcare groups that Kennedy had worked with over the years mourned his passing. The American Medical Association praised his work as "a champion for America's patients—working until the end to make improvements on their behalf." In particular, they cited his work to expand "access to healthcare for children and to secure fair health coverage for the mentally ill."

The American Hospital Association said that he was a "friend to hospitals, patients and communities in Massachusetts and across the country" where he fought "to improve healthcare and expand access and coverage for all."

"His extensive knowledge of the healthcare system and the inner workings of Congress, and his ability to build consensus will be greatly missed as discussions continue on how to best improve healthcare," AHA said.