Walker Administraion to outline plans for health care exchanges

Talk about it

MADISON - Governor Scott Walker still expects to announce this morning whether-or-not Wisconsin will set up its own health insurance purchasing exchange under the Obama health law.

Today was supposed to be the deadline for states to decide whether to create their own menus of health plans for individuals and small businesses to choose from – or to let the federal government provide a standard model. Late yesterday, the deadline was extended to December 14th – but Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie says it won’t affect what the governor plans to do. Walker hinted a week ago at a business conference in La Crosse that he would accept whatever Washington comes up with. And he further explained that stance Wednesday to national reporters attending the Republican Governors Association meeting in Las Vegas. Walker said he’d love to have control of the health insurance exchanges at the state level – but he does not believe Washington would let that happen. And he told the New York Times quote, “Why do I want to take on the potential risk to my taxpayers, if I don’t really have any true authority about what’s going to happen.”

Business groups, health advocates, and Democrats have all urged Walker to let the state create its own insurance options. Those affected believe it would be easier to influence Wisconsin officials on what should be included. The exchanges must be designed next year, and they’ll take effect in 2014.

Tags: news, wisconsin, government, health