What hath Nancy wrought? Details, to be sure, are still emerging about the intrusive contents of H.R. 3962 — for instance, heightened regulation of vending machines — as we expected they would. In other words, this is a regulatory mother lode, a bureaucratic bonanza certain to swell the swarm of government as it regulates everyday life to the fullest.

But, still speaking generally of the bill, a lot can be learned of its strictures, not to mention the state of Democratic politics, by the votes of two state congressmen — freshman Glenn Nye in the 2nd District and veteran Rick Boucher in the “Fighting 9th.” Presumably, Messrs. Nye and Boucher were freed by Nancy Pelosi to vote their consciences and/or preserve their political viability — and the Democratic majority in the House. The Speaker must have counted noses before giving these gents their release.

Mr. Nye, in a statement on his Web site Nov. 7, said he voted against H.R. 3962 because he felt it did not reduce overall health care costs for families and small businesses. He also feared funding would be cut for Children’s Hospital in Norfolk, where many military families go for care. Smart move, given his status as a Democrat in a district — the adult home of Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell — that has leaned GOP. Nothing like the sense of being low-hanging fruit to make one preserve one’s “viability.”

Mr. Boucher’s is a somewhat different story. After voting for cap-and-trade legislation in a district heavily reliant on the coal industry, Mr. Boucher may not have wished to fall on his sword again — particularly given the fact doctors and hospitals in his heavily rural region would not fare well under this legislation. A “public option” translates to less reimbursements for rural providers. What’s more, he noted, private insurers have helped keep nonprofit hospitals in his district afloat because their reimbursement rates are higher.

What’s surprising, to us at least, is that more lawmakers did not see these red flags — like, for instance, Tom Perriello in the 5th District. But that’s politics — and fodder for another editorial.