House Speaker John Boehner is demanding the White House and congressional Democrats negotiate with congressional Republicans about ways to re-open the government and address criticisms of the president’s health care law.

Boehner told reporters Friday: “This isn’t some damn game.” He said House Republicans still want “fairness to the American people” under the program critics call “Obamacare.”

President Barack Obama has refused GOP efforts to delay a major element of the health law enacted in 2010.

House Republican Whip Kevin McCarthy says Obama’s decision to cancel an Asia trip offers the “perfect opportunity to begin negotiations.”

Democrats say they will negotiate budget matters with Republicans, but they will not alter the health care law.

(AP)