DES MOINES - Sen. Tom Harkin scolded the Congressional Budget Office for not including savings from wellness and prevention measures he put in health care reform legislation, a decision, he said, that artificially raises the plan's cost.

"They're nuts," the Iowa Democrat said Thursday about the CBO not including "mega billions" in savings.

Medicare and private insurance will pay more than $30,000 to amputate a diabetic's foot, but the CBO won't include the savings that would be realized if that was prevented by a few hundred dollars of dietary counseling, Harkin said.

Harkin also scolded his colleagues, including Sen. Chuck Grassley, on the Finance Committee for dragging their feet on health care reform legislation.

"It's time for them to fish or cut bait," he said.

He attributed the lack of progress on health care legislation - including the likelihood there won't be a bill on the floor before the August recess - to forces that want to maintain the "disorganized and convoluted" status quo and political efforts to derail Obama's agenda.

"That's not what's good for the American people," Harkin said. "We shouldn't fear this change. It will make it better for everyone in this country."