The Bazelon Center on the Passing of Senator Ted Kennedy,
Mental Disability Champion

Washington, DC, August 26, 2009 – The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law mourns the loss of Senator Edward (Ted) Kennedy, a great leader in the Senate, and one of the most powerful voices in the past century for people with mental disabilities.

“Senator Kennedy was an unmatched, forceful voice for people with mental disabilities throughout his lifetime,” said Robert Bernstein, Ph.D., executive director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. “Without his urging, mental health parity would not have passed last year, which gave over 113 million Americans equity in mental and physical health coverage.”

“Further, Senator Kennedy’s decades-long fight for quality and affordable health care will serve as a crowning achievement in his illustrious legacy,” said Bernstein.

In addition to the years he spent advancing mental health parity, Senator Kennedy also sponsored and supported such successful initiatives as the community mental health program, the children’s system of care program, and many additional pieces of legislation that produced federal programs to treat and serve people with mental illnesses.

“Senator Kennedy worked daily to ensure the civil rights of people with disabilities to live integrated, meaningful lives. As advocates and as Americans, we are saddened by his loss, but we are hopeful that health care reform will succeed this year in his honor and in his memory,” said Bernstein.

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