Lawmakers report health care progress in House, Senate | Political ...

Adjusting the “public option” the government-run insurance program that would compete with private insurers by allowing physicians and other health care providers to negotiate rates with the government plan. ... The agreement between the four moderate “Blue Dog” Democrats and House Democratic leaders came after Rahm Emanuel , White House chief of staff, and other administration officials pressed the Blue Dogs hard for days, including a final session Wednesday morning. ...