In an unusually candid floor statement, Senator Baucus admitted that the true cost of the health care bill (with 10 full years of implementation from 2014-2023) is actually $2.5 Trillion. This blows the original cost of $1.2 Trillion out of the water and demolishes any claim that the proposal will actually reduce the deficit.

“Just for a second — health care reform, whether you use a ten-year number or when you start in 2010 or start in 2014, wherever you start at, so it is still either $1 trillion or it’s $2.5 Trillion, depending on where you start…” (Sen. Baucus, Floor Remarks, 12/2/09)

Considering the CBO reported that premiums for individuals in the nongroup market will increase by 10-13 percent under the Reid bill, this is yet more evidence that the Democrats health care plan does nothing to control costs and will in fact, leave patients worse off.

It’s time for the Senate to push the restart button and start over with real reform.