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Ricky Hanzich

Why are you interested in public service and why did you apply to this internship?
I believe health care is a right.  My parents raised me to truly care about others and my brother inspired me to apply that value through public service.  As a student in the health policy secondary field and a leader of the College Dems, working in Kennedy’s Health Policy Office seemed like the dream job.  I am so fortunate to be working on comprehensive health care reform at such a critical time.  I just hope that the little things I do help ensure that future interns of this health office never have to hear the heart-wrenching stories told by too many Americans.

In about two sentences, please describe the main responsibilities of your internship this summer.
The job, of course, entails some of the less glorious duties, such as answering the phones, sorting mail, and making copies.  However, now that health care reform has been one of America’s top priorities, I have been able to attend numerous briefings, House and Senate hearings, and the Senate (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) HELP Committee mark-up sessions.

What are you working on this week?
This week the office is focused on gathering research and formulating talking points to provide the Democratic senators with ammunition as they go back into mark-up next Monday.
 
Have you had any "face time" with the head of the office yet?
I was able to briefly help the head of the office, Mr. Bowen, with reviewing the language of part of the draft bill currently being considered by the HELP Committee.  I am also supposed to have lunch soon with Dr. McDonough, who headed up the Massachusetts health care reform efforts.
 
Of the staff at the office, whose job do you think is the most interesting?
I think Mr. Bowen or Dr. McDonough’s jobs are the best, as they seem to be the principal players in helping to formulate the language of the proposed draft bill and the ones that senators turned to during the walk through of the proposal.

Have any really exciting guests/visitors come by the office recently?
No exciting visitors come to the office, but I have seen McCain’s true colors in the HELP Committee mark-ups.  It was, of course, very exciting to be in the presence of all the HELP Senators.  During my first week, I also passed by Judge Sonia Sotomayor on several occassions.
 
Have you worked on any fun events/projects yet at your job?
The mark-ups have definitely been the highlight of my job so far and even making copies of the bill was exciting because I was able to skim through the very first proposal of comprehensive health care reform legislation since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid.

In one sentence or less, tell me something you learned either from or about your job that everyone should know.
If you really want to help out the current health care reform efforts, look at one of the draft bills on-line and make specific suggestions relating to the actual language of those proposals; or better yet, participate in a community service event.

Have you had an experience during your internship recently that has shown you the importance of politics and public service?
In general, listening to the constituents who call our office, it is heartening to hear how Kennedy’s strength and dedication has inspired so many.  His continual efforts to provide more and more Americans with quality, affordable health care is what public service is all about.

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