COLCHESTER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) - Politicians including Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), and New York Rep. Elise Stefanik commented on the government shutdown yesterday, which has the potential to cause furloughs and delays in Medicare and Medicaid payments.

Welch wrote Tuesday, prior to the official announcement that he had joined seven colleagues urging Republicans to protect health care benefits, which are currently set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats in Congress have insisted that an extension of health care benefits be part of any continued funding bill.

Welch cited a crisis of affordability, saying that Americans already cannot afford the health care they need. "What is about to happen - if we don't act before this shutdown - is that folks who are getting

See Full Page