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President Obama to visit Milwaukee to celebrate health care signups as state sues over ACA
President Obama to visit Milwaukee to celebrate health care signups as state sues over ACA
MILWAUKEE -- President Barack Obama will be in Milwaukee on Thursday, March 3rd -- and this visit has nothing to do with the presidential race. The presidential visit to Milwaukee is essentially a reward following a challenge to see which community could get the most people signed up for health insurance during a five-month period. Milwaukee won the challenge.
Bruce-Guadalupe Middle School
Along with the celebration over the increased health care enrollments here in Milwaukee, there's also some criticism.
On Wednesday, March 2nd, one day before President Obama's visit, there was excitement on the campus of the Bruce-Guadalupe School near 9th and National on Milwaukee's south side.
President Obama will deliver remarks at the United Community Center on campus.
"It should be a fun day," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said.
Milwaukee beat out 20 other communities nationwide by enrolling the most people in health care, starting last October.
"This is a celebration because Milwaukee did well -- but the issue we are dealing with is such a serious issue," Mayor Barrett said.
Wisconsin is one of six states suing over the Affordable Care Act.
"We hear routinely from small business owners and farmers across the state is that it's anything but affordable," Governor Scott Walker said.
Governor Scott Walker
"I, for the life of me, don`t understand why politicians would want to take the position that`s contrary to people having health care," Barrett said.
Walker said he is not opposed to people having health care coverage.
"Access is a good thing," Walker said.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett
But Walker believes there's a different way.
"We believe the federal government that continues to build up debt and deficient problems regardless of the party is not going to be in a position in the next several years to meet their commitments even before the Affordable Care Act -- even more so going forward," Walker said.
Affordable Care Act -- Health Insurance Marketplace
"If you`re going to use that argument, you would never take a penny from anybody," Barrett said.
The president is expected to speak at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett issued this statement on the presidential visit:
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele issued this statement:
Alderman Jose Perez issued this statement: