In these trying times for the Edwards’ family, Adam Hanft wonders if John Edwards’ past as a malpractice attorney has helped create an environment that forces physicians to practice less than ideal care:

The media has covered the Edwards’ story in terms of the painful decision they faced about whether or not to continue the campaign. But conspicuously absent has been any real attention paid to the relationship between his career as a physician-basher and his current, trying circumstances.

John Edwards wants the best cancer care for his wife. Yet in the relentless pursuit of malpractice awards, he has helped create an environment where there is probably less of the best going around today, and where there will certainly be less of it in the future.