LINCOLN, Mass. -- Debate was lively between U.S. Rep. Mike Capuano and fellow Democratic Senate candidate Alan Khazei on Saturday, even though disagreements between the two were subtle.

The candidates, who spoke at a well-attended forum in Lincoln, said they would both support bringing a health care reform bill to the floor of the Senate if they were sitting in Ted Kennedy’s seat on Saturday evening.

“They have to have this debate,” said Capuano. “They can’t kill this bill now.”

“We have to make sure we get this vote so we can move on to the merits,” said Khazei.

The vote, which was passed by Senate democrats later in the evening, opens up debate about the health care bill in the Senate.

State Sen. Scott Brown, however, said he’s skeptical that the health care reform bill will have a positive effect on the state.

“Is the cost of it what concerns you the most?” asked NewsCenter 5’s Amalia Barreda.

“The cost and the government option competing directly with the plans that we have here,” responded Brown. “Pretty soon the government option may be the only option.”

“He’s completely wrong,” contended Khazei after the forum. “Look, you can't do this on a state by state basis. Health care is a national industry and it affects us globally.”

Brown, however, questioned how the nation could afford the reforms set out in the health care bill.

“They’re looking at $2 to $3 trillion,” said Brown. “We’re already in a $12 trillion national debt. How do we pay for this?”

“These bills are paid for through taxes on the highest earners we have,” said Capuano, responding to his concerns in a separate interview. “They actually will improve the deficit. It won't make it worse, it will improve it.”

Democratic candidate Steve Pagliuca had been scheduled to speak at the forum on Saturday, but he did not attend, citing personal reasons.