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Kennedy: U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, the youngest child of Sen. Edward and Joan Kennedy, spoke at a luncheon Saturday afternoon at Jasmine’s Event Center in Roseburg and in the evening at Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort in Canyonville.
There's something wrong with America, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy told a Roseburg audience on Saturday, when the country spends more time debating the ills of flag burning than on health care.
"That's crazy," he said.
Kennedy, a proponent of universal health care and placing a bigger emphasis on preventive care, said the nation's health care system does not do a good enough job in serving people.
More than a third of health costs go to pay for administrative expenses, rather than helping people get better, he said. For senior citizens who rely on Medicare, the health care companies with the worst track records for helping patients are being paid the most in medical reimbursements.
A vocal proponent of health care reform, Kennedy has fought congressional attempts to privatize Medicare and has fought to add a comprehensive drug prescription benefit to Medicare. He said it's possible to improve health care but there has to be a conversation on the subject.
"We can get more and it will cost less," said Kennedy, 38.
Kennedy appeared before a luncheon crowd of 85 people at Jasmine's Event Center in downtown Roseburg. Later, 200 people listened to him during a dinner at Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort in Canyonville.
Kennedy appeared at the invitation of the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Douglas County Democratic Party. It marked the second time Kennedy, the co-founder of the Native American Caucus in the U.S. House, has spoken in Douglas County. He appeared at a Democratic rally at Seven Feathers in April 2001.
Kennedy, the youngest son of Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy and Joan Kennedy, is serving his sixth term representing Rhode Island's First Congressional District. He graduated from Providence College, earning a bachelor's degree in social science in 1991.
Remaining in Rhode Island, Kennedy was elected to the state legislature at the age of 21. He served three terms in the Rhode Island House before being elected at age 27 to Congress, where he serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
"And I know none of that had anything to do with my last name being Kennedy," he said to laughter from the audience. "It had to do with my good looks and personality."
After the speech, Kennedy said his remaining in Rhode Island to run for office was to carve out his own niche without being so much in the shadow of his father or his famous uncles, former President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert Kennedy.
At first, he took a lot of heat from people who felt he was simply cashing in on his family name. After more than 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, he said Rhode Islanders are just now accepting him as his own person.
He has worked to improve care for children with asthma, a condition he suffers from. Softer regulations that allow factories to discharge more sulfur into the air has led to more people in New England having asthma, he said.
Kennedy, who said he takes medications for bi-polar disorder, has also worked to provide better insurance benefits for mental health services. He has also pushed for increased spending on mental health programs for communities and for senior citizens.
In response to a question from Roseburg resident Lenore Paulsen, Kennedy said he thinks the Democrats have an excellent chance at regaining the White House in 2008. He said Americans are increasingly tired of the war in Iraq and a lackluster economy full of low-wage jobs.
"I think the opportunities are fantastic," he said.
Bob Duey, also from Roseburg, asked Kennedy when the U.S. will remove its troops from Iraq. If it were up to him, Duey said he would set a date and just get out.
Kennedy replied that it wasn't that simple. The long-term stability of the country needs to be ensured before the United States removes its troops, he said.
"If we get out of there, we may face a situation where we have to go back. And we don't want to make things worse," Kennedy said.
* You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@newsreview.info.
"That's crazy," he said.
Kennedy, a proponent of universal health care and placing a bigger emphasis on preventive care, said the nation's health care system does not do a good enough job in serving people.
More than a third of health costs go to pay for administrative expenses, rather than helping people get better, he said. For senior citizens who rely on Medicare, the health care companies with the worst track records for helping patients are being paid the most in medical reimbursements.
A vocal proponent of health care reform, Kennedy has fought congressional attempts to privatize Medicare and has fought to add a comprehensive drug prescription benefit to Medicare. He said it's possible to improve health care but there has to be a conversation on the subject.
"We can get more and it will cost less," said Kennedy, 38.
Kennedy appeared before a luncheon crowd of 85 people at Jasmine's Event Center in downtown Roseburg. Later, 200 people listened to him during a dinner at Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort in Canyonville.
Kennedy appeared at the invitation of the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the Douglas County Democratic Party. It marked the second time Kennedy, the co-founder of the Native American Caucus in the U.S. House, has spoken in Douglas County. He appeared at a Democratic rally at Seven Feathers in April 2001.
Kennedy, the youngest son of Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy and Joan Kennedy, is serving his sixth term representing Rhode Island's First Congressional District. He graduated from Providence College, earning a bachelor's degree in social science in 1991.
Remaining in Rhode Island, Kennedy was elected to the state legislature at the age of 21. He served three terms in the Rhode Island House before being elected at age 27 to Congress, where he serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
"And I know none of that had anything to do with my last name being Kennedy," he said to laughter from the audience. "It had to do with my good looks and personality."
After the speech, Kennedy said his remaining in Rhode Island to run for office was to carve out his own niche without being so much in the shadow of his father or his famous uncles, former President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert Kennedy.
At first, he took a lot of heat from people who felt he was simply cashing in on his family name. After more than 10 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, he said Rhode Islanders are just now accepting him as his own person.
He has worked to improve care for children with asthma, a condition he suffers from. Softer regulations that allow factories to discharge more sulfur into the air has led to more people in New England having asthma, he said.
Kennedy, who said he takes medications for bi-polar disorder, has also worked to provide better insurance benefits for mental health services. He has also pushed for increased spending on mental health programs for communities and for senior citizens.
In response to a question from Roseburg resident Lenore Paulsen, Kennedy said he thinks the Democrats have an excellent chance at regaining the White House in 2008. He said Americans are increasingly tired of the war in Iraq and a lackluster economy full of low-wage jobs.
"I think the opportunities are fantastic," he said.
Bob Duey, also from Roseburg, asked Kennedy when the U.S. will remove its troops from Iraq. If it were up to him, Duey said he would set a date and just get out.
Kennedy replied that it wasn't that simple. The long-term stability of the country needs to be ensured before the United States removes its troops, he said.
"If we get out of there, we may face a situation where we have to go back. And we don't want to make things worse," Kennedy said.
* You can reach reporter John Sowell at 957-4209 or by e-mail at jsowell@newsreview.info.
