Kennedy to return to Washington in spring

WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy says he will return to Washington full time when the weather in the nation's capital warms, hoping to tackle healthcare reform.

Kennedy, 77, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last May and has made few appearances in Washington since, The Hill reported Thursday.

The Massachusetts Democrat has been in Florida recovering from surgery.

He was in Washington Thursday to participate in a healthcare summit at the White House.

The newspaper noted that on Friday Kennedy plans to have lunch with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., to discuss healthcare reform.

"He's here and I've talked to him and he's in good form," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. "He's doing great."

"He's ready to work on (healthcare reform), that's why he's meeting with Baucus, that's why he's going to the White House," Kerry added.