WAUSAU (WAOW) -
An important health care deadline is quickly approaching,
including here in Wisconsin.
It will decide who will run a system for choosing health
care options. Governors across the country are faced with a Friday deadline.
State lawmakers in our state are weighing in on what
Governor Scott Walker should do.
The exchange is a marketplace where people without
insurance can go to compare health care options. Governor Scott Walker has to
decide by Friday if Wisconsin
will run its own.
"The question is--which is the best way to implement
an exchange in the state," Governor Scott Walker said.
States have three options for the exchange. The first would
give a state its own control. The second would have the federal government do
it for them, and the third would be a partnership of the two.
"There's a part of me that looks at a state run one
and says I don't want to give anything I don't have to the federal government.
The risk you run is if the state runs it, eventually money goes away from the
federal government, state tax payers to pick up more and more of that cost," Walker continued.
But Wisconsin democratic lawmakers are urging Walker to choose the
state-run exchange.
In a letter to him -- saying "We write asking that you
indeed move forward by creating an exchange that builds off the unique
strengths of our Wisconsin health care system and is tailored to meet the needs
of Wisconsin consumers."
One of the democrats to sign the letter, Congresswoman Gwen
Moore from Wisconsin's
4th district.
"We think we have some experience with delivering good
services. It would be a shame to have all of that lost by a totally federally
operated program," Moore
said.
The specifics of the exchange are not due to the federal
government until December 14th. On Friday, all that's due is Governor Walker's
word on if Wisconsin
will run its own.
Members of Governor Walker's office say a decision is
expected on Friday.
