Reforming Medicare, The Gingrich Way

Newt Gingrich is back. The fiery architect of the Republicans' Contract with America, who was forced to resign as House Speaker in 1999 after his attacks on Bill Clinton cost the G.O.P. big losses in the midterm elections, has been steadily increasing his backstage role in national politics. Nowhere was his presence more on display than in the Medicare-reform bill Congress passed last week. Beginning a year ago, Gingrich gave PowerPoint briefings to top Republican officials like Vice President Dick Cheney, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate majority leader Bill Frist on market reforms for Medicare. Late in October, Gingrich worked...