LAS VEGAS -- Nevada Sen. John Ensign said Monday that health care reform making its way through the Senate was “terrible” and Majority Leader Harry Reid is “100 percent wrong.”

The Republican dismissed any notion there was a “gentleman’s agreement” that prevented him talking negative about his Democratic counterpart, telling Newsradio 840 KXNT “ I fight against issues that Harry Reid believes in every day.”

Ensign said he would be introducing amendments and making speeches on the senate floor to protest what he called a “massive takeover of our health care system by the government.”

“We know that the government runs things inefficiently,” said the two-term senator. “When has the government taking over things lowered costs?”

Ensign added that Reid's plan would lead to "rationing" and warned "people will die."

Affair Won’t Lead To Resignation

While health care was a hot topic on the radio show, callers were just as anxious to hear Ensign talk about his admitted affair with a friend’s wife.

He called it a “mistake” but said he would not resign.

“I was elected to a six year term, and I fully intend on serving that out,” he said.

Survey: Should Sen. John Ensign Resign?

Ensign added that if he resigned it would “put another seat in play” and take resources away from other Republicans around the country, while also diverting attention from top GOP target, Sen. Harry Reid.

The 51-year-old had stayed silent on his affair for months, but may have been prompted to speak out following a recent Nightline interview with Doug Hampton, the husband of his former mistress.

Although the affair ended the longtime friendship with Hampton, Ensign said it has strengthened his marriage to his wife Darlene.

“My wife and I have worked things out. We're doing better than we've ever done before,” he said.