WASHINGTON — After months of closed-door discussions, the Senate's top health care negotiator said the time for action has come.

Montana Democrat Max Baucus indicated today he'll move ahead with a bill soon, whether or not the bipartisan negotiations he's been focused on produce a compromise.

Baucus, who chairs the Finance Committee, held a 90-minute teleconference with five other senators in the bipartisan group. A face-to-face meeting is scheduled Tuesday.

Baucus said in a statement they agreed on the need to control costs, make health insurance affordable and provide all Americans access to a quality medical plan without busting the budget. But he emphasized he wants to get a bill "done soon and done right."