The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has calculated the cost of the preliminary healthcare plan put forth by Senator Max Baucus. According to the CBO the plan will cost $828 billion over the next decade and will actually reduce the Federal Deficit by $81 billion over that time span. The CBO calculates bills that are sent to them and does not make assumptions. This is probably an incorrect calculation as the plan contains $100 billion in waste and fraud elimination that has never been done before. The plan also calls for $404 billion in Medicare cuts. No politician that wants to be re-elected will ever cut Medicare spending. Medicare recipients are of an age and maturity that allows them to follow governmental happenings that will affect them. Do not believe they will allow drastic cuts in their benefits to go unopposed and politicians know this group of citizens constitutes a voting block that never fails to show up at the polling booth. This plan is in its infancy and will go through several changes before being sent to the Senate floor for approval. Conservatives and “Constitutionalist” should monitor this bills progress and vigorously oppose it. Say NO to single payer healthcare.