It might have to do more about the Pharma lobby and how they protect themselves in the beltway than just the insurance companies and their profits. I would agree that insurance companies do play a part in the mess.

I think the issue isn't just with the insurance companies Dave, I think you need to look at the special deals that get cut (Nebraska's medicaid windfall), the power the Pharma lobby has over congress as a whole, and most notably Congress itself.

I'm not picking on the right or left on this issue, as there are examples of power brokering and deals made by folks all around Washington that have a huge negative impact to the consumer, and only benefit Pharma and the politicians who support Pharma.