Singer Paul Simon tries to lend a little harmony to raucous health care debate

Singer Paul Simon urges health care reform

WASHINGTON — Singer-songwriter Paul Simon tried to lend a little harmony to the raucous health care debate Wednesday by pushing for a health care overhaul with Democratic leaders of Congress.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid couldn’t resist musical references in the appearance with the popular performer who advocates improving health care for children.

“If there were ever a bridge that we need over these troubled waters, it’s passing comprehensive health care reform,” Reid said, describing how children have fared in the country’s health care delivery system.

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” was a hit for the duo Simon & Garfunkel, written by Simon. Simon joined Reid, House speaker Nancy Pelosi and various child advocates to push for health care changes at an event on the Capitol lawn.

Simon co-founded the Children’s Health Fund, which provides medical care for poor and underserved kids. He said the fund believes a health care measure “would go a long way to fill the gap in health care — the gap that these children live in and suffer in.”

Simon urged lawmakers to improve health care for children: “Poor kids can’t vote. Neither can they afford to hire lobbyists to plead their cause or to describe their situation.”