House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that a public option is "essential" to the passage of health care reform, while seeming to reject the idea of delaying implementation of such a program later through a "trigger," as some even in her own party now advocate.

Speaking with reporters after a meeting with President Obama and Vice President Biden in the Oval Office, Pelosi was asked about comments from Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), a member of the Democratic leadership, saying a triggered public option would be acceptable.

"Out of context I really can't speak to Mr. Clyburn's remarks," she said, though she said he is a "strong supporter" of the public option. But she seemed to offer a vague threat at the insurance industry, which she says is "fighting the public option tooth and nail." "They'd be better getting a public option now than one that is triggered. Because if you have a triggered public option, it's because the insurance industry has demonstrated that they're not cooperating, they're not doing the right thing. And I think they'll have a tougher road."

Pelosi also said that, "for the moment," the "overwhelming majority" of her caucus supports a public option. But just hours earlier, not only Clyburn but House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the option "might need to be dropped" to get it passed.

For his part, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters that it is still Democrats' intention to work with Republicans.

"We still, after all these months, have a place at the table for the Republicans. We're doing everything we can to work with them," he said. "We want a bipartisan bill. We do not want to do reconciliation, unless we have no alternative."