SHUTDOWN: Reed, Whitehouse to talk healthcare credits, Amo takes on food insecurity

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — As the DC shutdown nears its fourth week, members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation are in their state to discuss local implications of the shuttered federal government.

Rhode Island Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse will talk healthcare while Congressman Gabe Amo will address food insecurity.

The Senators will meet with local healthcare officials to discuss the effects of the government shutdown on expiring healthcare tax credits.

They will be joined by HealthSource RI Director Lindsay Lang and President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island Peter Marino at Reed’s Cranston office at 11:30 a.m.

They plan to talk about “looming price hikes facing Rhode Islanders and the urgent need for action,” according to a statement from Senator Reed’s office.

The healthcare tax credits are set to expire on December 31 and Reed and Whitehouse are calling on their Republican colleagues in Congress to work with them on a bipartisan solution to the government shutdown that includes extending the credits, according to the statement.

Congressman Amo will be in Providence, visiting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank as federal SNAP funds dry up.

Amo will be at the food bank at 11:45a.m.