Democrats will continue to push for some version of the public option in the U.S. Senate, despite threats of a filibuster from two senators over the controversial provision in proposed health care legislation, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said.

Speaking inside the Hoboken University Medical Center emergency room, Menendez said yesterday a modified public option could draw support from U.S. Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), who announced their opposition to elements of the bill over the weekend.

Menendez suggested adding a so-called trigger clause, which would only put the public option into effect if certain conditions are not met in the future. These conditions could include expanded competition in the marketplace or a decrease in insurance premium costs.

"There are other public options possible," Menendez said. "They have only said they oppose the public option in its current version."

Menedez said he hoped to have a final bill in front of President Obama in January.

In a rare Saturday session, the Senate approved to move forward for a historic debate on the legislation after Thanksgiving. The vote was along party lines, 60-39. Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio didn't vote.

The sweeping health care legislation is designed to extend coverage to an estimated 31 million Americans who lack it and crack down on insurance industry practices that deny benefits.

The senator, who sits on the crucial Finance Committee, also said a provision in the Senate bill that bars undocumented immigrants from buying insurance on exchanges with their money could be changed in a conference committee.

The U.S. House of Representatives health care bill allows undocumented immigrants to enter the newly created exchanges with their own money.

Dr. Bassam Haddad, the Hoboken hospital's medical director, said he was happy the Senate bill insures more people, but said he did not believe the senator adequately addressed his concerns about medical malpractice insurance costs.

"Malpractice is one of the most expensive parts of health care, so unless they do something for tort reform, they're not going to save much," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Rohan Mascarenhas may be reached at (973) 392-4136 or rmascarenhas@starledger.com.