One lawmaker says the handwriting is on the wall, Healthy Wisconsin is dead. Now Senate Democrats just need to admit it.
"You just need to come forward and say that Healthy Wisconsin is over."
Republican Senator Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau is again saying it's time for the Senate Democrats to abandon their healthcare plan. The Budget Conference Committee met for less than a half hour Thursday. Fitzgerald says the only way to make any progress on the budget plan is to just get rid of Healthy Wisconsin.
"Let's dump this plan, dump the program, and move forward; because I think it is truly hampering the negotiations, it's been a big obstacle and it's time to get rid of it."
Fitzgerald says there are Democrats statewide who are admitting the plan needs to be given up. He calls Healthy Wisconsin a huge obstruction, and nothing else before the committee can move forward until it's eliminated.
"We can't eliminate it for you. That is something that either the governor needs to hold a press conference on the steps of the state capitol and say 'Healthy Wisconsin is dead, I will veto it,' or your caucus needs to tell us that this is over."
Fitzgerald says if Senate Democrats want to take credit for at least creating a discussion on health care in our state, that's fine. But, he says, it's time now to get the budget done.
NOTE: The Budget Conference Committee is scheduled to reconvene Friday morning at 10:30.