It would be a good guess that by the time this issue arrives inthe mail, Congress will still be dithering over the healthinsurance bill. If a bill passes by New Year's, then it will be themiracle of the decade.

Whether we like it or not, most of us could not get alongwithout health insurance. For some of us in the insurance claimbusiness our employers supply coverage, but they may charge us abit for it out of our paychecks. For those of us who areself-employed or own our businesses, hopefully we have joined somegroup that provides coverage. Eventually we'll all need it, even ifthe bills arrive after we are dead.

In looking back over these columns and my textbooks, it seemsthat every five to 10 years, I predicted that what might be saidabout health insurance was subject to change if Congress ever gotaround to passing an insurance bill. It never happened. It may ormay not happen this time, but at least it looks more promising thata bill will pass and be signed into law. What form it will take isanyone's guess. It won't be what those who proposed the legislationhad in mind, but then, as has been suggested, watching thelegislative process is like watching sausage being made.