"I think, quite frankly, with increasing conviction that a 'public option' cannot pass the Senate."

That's the word, just a moment ago, from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., about President Barack Obama's preference that a so-called public option, or a government-run insurance program, be included in any health care overhaul legislation.

Baucus, who has been trying to produce a bipartisan health care plan with his "gang of six" committee members, also said that even though that group hasn't yet been able to come up with such a package, "there's still time ... between now and when we vote on the final bill that's marked up in a couple weeks."

There had been talk that the gang of six might craft a plan before Obama's address to Congress tonight.

Update at 1 p.m. ET. NPR's Julie Rovner adds that:

Baucus said he will go ahead with a committee vote on a health overhaul bill "the week after next." He said he will proceed with the vote, with or without Republican support. Baucus told reporters that the overhaul bill will be similar to the draft that was circulated over the weekend.