(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Republican Congressman Scott Fitzgerald says he’s willing to talk about Medicaid, Medicare and Affordable Care Act subsidies, but he says Democrats must reopen the government first.
Fitzgerald was on UpFront over the weekend, and he said Democrats could vote at any time to reopen the government, and then there can be talks about how to deal with the healthcare system in this country.
“The [continuing resolution], it’s such a layup at this point,” Fitzgerald said. “If you want to have a discussion about health care, let’ss have that discussion. It’s a massive, complex issue that touches all Americans. And if they think we’re going to be able to sit at a table and negotiate something related to health care under the duress of a government shutdown, they’re just out of their minds.”
Fitzgerald said once the government is back open, there is certainly room for compromise.
“I’m all ears,” Fitzgerald said. “Extending Obamacare subsidies]] is something I think that has been frustrating for many of us who have watched the discussion, and I wasn’t necessarily part of that, but we can talk about Medicaid, Medicare, we can talk about all of it if you want.”
But Fitzgerald said it’s “outrageous” that Democrats think the best way to get to those talks is to now pay the troops.
Fitzgerald says he hopes the shutdown doesn’t last until next month, and said he’s worried about what will happen if it does. Specifically, he’s wondering about furloughs and federal layoffs.
“There’s kind of different set-ups for who’s working full-time and who isn’t, but yeah, I mean, all that’s going to have to be addressed at the end. I think It’s something that Congress has agreed on for many years,” Fitzgerald said. “So, we’ll wait, if this drags into November, though, good God, I just. an’t imagine that we aren’t going to do something to address some of these specific issues related to the shutdown.”
