WASHINGTON — As the government shutdown slogs through a 17 th day, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said he is optimistic that Congress can ultimately figure out an end to the stalemate over Affordable Care Act subsidies that has brought the Capitol to a standstill –– the government just needs to reopen first.

“One way or the other, we have got to get the government open before we can begin to entertain some of the challenges that the Democrats have made,” Oz told Spectrum News Friday, echoing a sentiment shared by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.

“Let us get our people back in the building,” he said. “We are actuaries, we are insurance experts. We can find better ways of taking care of the American people.”

The federal governme

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