Truer words have probably never been spoken. I'm sure you've heard that sound bite a few hundred times by now.

As Americans, and industry professionals, we were glued to the television Sunday night watching the passing of the health care reform bill. Stomachs churned, hoping that in the end the voice of the American people would be heard. We all experienced the sinking disappointment our government had not listened to us after all, but instead crammed a bill through by the skin of their teeth to further their own liberal agenda.

As disturbed as I am by the actual content of the bill, I am far more disturbed by the process of bullying, back-room deals, and downright extortion with which this bill passed. I won't bore you with my opinion of the politics involved – we all have our own. However, as someone who's preached consumer-directed health care for the last 20 years I have to wonder was it all for naught.

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