It has left insurance lobbyists reeling, trying to convince anyone who would listen that the industry was motivated by good health care rather than profit.

As one insurance lobbyist recently put it, "Anybody who doesn't pay attention to Guy Velella is an idiot."

The circumstance of this victory by insurance lobbyists is particularly relevant now that the same Congressional leaders are feverishly vowing to enact lobbying reform.

Whatever the objections, insurance lobbyists say they expect some sort of measure to pass, at least at the state level.

Health care in the states is ruled by the insurance lobbyists, there will never be change.

Not William C. Burton, an insurance lobbyist and lawyer from East Hills.

While he may not charge insurance lobbyists for breakfast, Mr. Velella does, in fact, raise large sums of money from the insurance industry.

So the states joined forces with insurance lobbyists to push the law through.

Is Don Cheadle's gang leader more broadly drawn than Paul Sorvino's insurance lobbyist?

"He's known as a senator who will work things out," said Paul Equale, an insurance lobbyist who has worked with Mr. Dodd.