Reactions to Walker’s Decision on Health Exchange

Governor Scott Walker has decided to let the federal government set up Wisconsin’s health care insurance exchange required by the federal health care act.

The governor has consistently opposed the federal health care reform act. Las Friday he said the law doesn’t give the state enough flexibility to make running its own exchange worthwhile, and leaving the job to the federal government will be more cost effective for state tax payers. But he left open the possibility that rules for running the exchanges might change between now and 2014 when the law goes into effect, “We will continue to work with the federal government with our congressional delegation Democrat and Republican alike with other governors to find ways to make this better for the taxpayers and consumers of the state of Wisconsin.”

State Republican leaders are applauding Walker’s decision, but Democrats are accusing him of punting on a decision that would have allowed the state to have more control of how its citizens can by the health insurance they need.