And Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa, who really has been continuing to negotiate with the Democrats in the Senate on this bill, emphasized repeatedly the option of cooperative for health insurance companies rather than a public option, where the government would back one option.

NPR: Overhauling Health Care Takes More Than Money

It's short for health insurance "cooperative, " and it's a phrase Americans are getting accustomed to hearing these days as lawmakers point to the co-op model as one possibility in the debate over health care reform.

CNN: Dissecting a health care co-op

"I don't think it is coincidental that the most competitive market for health insurance in the state is where Group Health Cooperative exists, " Oemichen said.

CNN: Farmers say co-ops work for feed, seed and health care

"If you are looking at trying to get the interests of the insurance company to be essentially the same as a consumer who is getting that health insurance, then the cooperative is the way to do that, " Oemichen said.

CNN: Farmers say co-ops work for feed, seed and health care