MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – 28 governors — including ten Republicans — have accepted federal Medicaid funds to help cover low-income people under Obamacare.
But Wisconsin Republican Scott Walker says he won’t change his mind and accept the money. He said Wednesday he was not moved by the decision of Indiana’s Republican governor, Mike Pence, to accept millions in federal Medicaid funds.
Walker has long said that Wisconsin could be left holding an expensive bag if the Washington money runs dry.
Health care advocates want him to accept the money anyway, in light of a possible $2 billion shortfall in the next state budget.
Walker said Wednesday he’ll stay the course with his plan to limit income qualifications for programs like BadgerCare — while expanding the coverage to the poorest residents.
Walker also said he will not reconsider his decision from last Friday to reject the proposed Menominee Indian tribal casino in Kenosha, even though 10 lawmakers from both parties have asked that he take another look at it.
Walker said he still believes the Kenosha project would put hundreds of millions of tax dollars at risk, due to way the Potawatomi tribe’s gaming compact is written to preserve revenues at its Milwaukee casino.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
