These are two interesting op-ed columns currently making the rounds, regarding the "constitutionality" of health care, involvement of the government, etc:
Forbes Business: "Congress Passes Socialized Medicine and Mandates Health Insurance -In 1798"
http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/20...rance-in-1798/
And further examination of contentions within the above column:
"Newsflash: Founders favored "government run health care""
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plu...red_gover.html