Watching the heated debate regarding the various healthcare reform proposals bring a couple of common proverbs to mind.

Those members of Congress that are so vehemently arguing against any sort of "government option" bring the saying from Hamlet to mind..."The lady doth protest too much, methinks." Why such protest? There is evidence that government-provided health insurance works satisfactorily, in Canada and England, but also our own Medicare program which so many seniors vehemently demand remain untouched. Why such protest by some in Congress, at this point mostly from the minority party? Is there a possibility, just a remote possibility, that the lobbyists for interests whose profits would be threatened or diminished by these proposals are at work here? Those same interests who at the conclusion of the heated debate over prescription drug coverage actually wrote the Medicare Part D bill which has proven so ineffective for seniors, hugely expensive for the taxpayers, and dramatically profitable for the drug companies?

Another question that seems so obvious given the administration's stated objectives for the reform being discussed is why has there been no mention of tort reform in the discussions regarding this legislation? A stated goal--maybe the most important objective of the proposed reform--is the reduction of the cost of healthcare. Clearly, the cost of litigation, settlements and malpractice awards are a significant element of the cost of healthcare. That alone may be a reason why healthcare in countries which provide "single payor" coverage is so much less expensive. Is is possible, just possible, that the lobbyists for the trial lawyers have already completed their work successfully with our elected representatives from both parties?

Another proverb, although not in the form of a question, is the devil will be in the details. Regardless of how the fundamental elements of whatever "reform" is finally agreed to, we--the electorate and the folks who will ultimately pick up the tab for this "reform"--better pay attention to who's making out from the details of this legislation. Even though the Democrats appear to have a sufficient majority to push some sort of legislation thru to passage, they shouldn't get a pass on the possibility of having been influenced by special interests. They already have and will be as these negotiations progress. We'd all better stay aware of how the legislation they pass effects us, how expensive it will be for us, and which special interests turn out to be big beneficiaries. Otherwise, how will we know who to blame?