Jimmy Carter (right) says the late Ted Kennedy delayed health care reform. | AP photo composite by POLITICO Carter: Kennedy delayed health care

Former President Jimmy Carter says the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) is to blame for delaying the implementation of health care reform for 30 years.

In an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Carter says that health care reform during his presidency fell through because Kennedy killed the bill.


“The fact is that we would have had comprehensive health care now, had it not been for Ted Kennedy's deliberately blocking the legislation that I proposed,” Carter said of the senator who died last year.

“It was his fault. Ted Kennedy killed the bill,” Carter added, blaming a political feud between the then-titans of Democratic politics. “He did not want to see me have a major success in that realm of life.”

CBS posted part of the interview on Thursday, the full story will air Sunday.

Carter gave the interview ahead of the release of his new book “White House Diary,” a printing of selected passages from a diary he kept during his time as president.

Carter also knocks Kennedy over his actions on health care in the book, according to CBS, writing: “Kennedy continuing his irresponsible and abusive attitude, immediately condemning our health plan. He couldn't get five votes for his plan.”