© The New York Times 2009 

The “broad agreement” that Senator Harry Reid announced Tuesday night on the proposed overhaul of the health care system was less a comprehensive accord among Democrats than an effort by the party’s leaders to keep the process moving ahead, even as Republicans attempt to prolong a seemingly endless floor fight. 

The deal did not entirely resolve the biggest dispute: whether the legislation should include a “public option,” a government-run health plan to compete with private insurers. Read more.