'Blue Dog' Vote Pivotal in Passage of Health Care Reform Bill

The moderate "Blue Dog" Democrats are calling for provisions to ensure that the government's plan is affordable for small businesses and are insisting on a negotiated rate for any government-run health plan that would compete with private insurance.

(Fox News) - A pack of dogs has emerged in the House of Representatives, and they are demonstrating just how "alpha" they can be.

The "Blue Dog" Democrats -- a group of fiscally conservative representatives who account for 52 seats in the House -- are demanding that the massive bill to revise existing health insurance plans will provide an affordable government option for small businesses and competitive pricing to keep private insurers in business.

The group met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in closed-door meetings for more than seven hours Tuesday night, but a compromise between the Blue Dogs and party leaders was not struck.