Americans already cynical about politicians have yet another confirmation that public service on the national level is too often a stepping stone to big bucks. It was announced this week that a key lawmaker in crafting the year-old Medicare reform bill, Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., will become president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the main lobbying group for brand-name drugs.

A well-respected member of Congress for 24 years, Tauzin was a key architect of the controversial Medicare bill, which, among other things, specifically prohibits the federal government from using its buying power to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare recipients. The federal government, through the VA, already negotiates significant discounts on the top, name brand drugs prescribed for veterans.

When the no-negotiation provision in the Medicare bill was revealed, it seemed to be nothing less than a huge financial gift to drug companies. Now, less than a year later, the public learns that Tauzin will be paid an estimated $2 million a year to represent those same drug companies in Washington, D.C.

Some observers would suggest that Tauzin already represented the drug companies' interests (by protecting their profit margins) when he was working on the Medicare bill, and his new job is just some form of deferred compensation.

The drug companies insist there is no connection between the lawmaker's work on the Medicare bill in 2003 and his new position as head of the trade group. Tauzin explains the move by saying "This industry understands that it's got a problem. It has to earn the trust and confidence of patients"

So Tauzin wants Americans to believe that he's just the guy to do it, by lobbying his former colleagues in Washington?

Tauzin is only the latest in a long list of lawmakers passing through the so-called revolving door. Thomas Skully, not an elected official, but the administration's main negotiator representing the White House position on Medicare reform in talks with Congress, recently joined a law firm in Washington, D.C., and has also registered as a lobbyist for major drug companies.

The consumer group, Public Citizen, has some good suggestions for slowing down the revolving door, including:

Prohibiting lawmakers from negotiating new employment while serving in Congress.

Lengthen the waiting period from 1 to 3 years before a former member of Congress can lobby his former colleagues.

Eliminate privileges that allow former members of Congress access to normally restricted areas such as dining halls, gyms, cloak rooms and even the House and Senate floors.

Clearly, something needs to be done to end these abuses of taxpayer-funded experience. But the very people who will be required to toughen the rules include many who are no doubt planning their own lucrative spins through the revolving door.

So don't expect significant reforms any time soon.