There could be be no more fitting way to remember the man whose lifelong passion was providing universal health care for the American people. Perhaps his death will shame those whose distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies threaten to derail reform into doing the right thing. One can hope.

Ted Kennedy, the third longest-serving senator in history, left behind an unmatched legislative legacy. He helped craft some of the most important bills of the last half century, and his influence changed this country for the better. Medicare, voting rights, family leave, civil rights, immigration reform, greater access for the disabled, all bear his mark. [...]