Wisconsin facing deadline for Affordable Care Act
By: Millaine Wells
Updated: November 8, 2012
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - An election night win for President Obama is now putting Governor Walker in a tough spot, specifically, when it comes to health care.
President Obama's return and a democratic majority in the United States Senate means the President's health care law will remain the law.
Governor Walker decided last year to stop planning to implement the law, preferring to hold out for a Mitt Romney win and repeal of the law.
Governor Scott Walker also turned down $38 million in federal money that could have gone to implementing the health care law.
Now, the state has until next Friday, November 16, to decide how Wisconsin will implement part of the law.
"Unfortunately the act doesn't make the country healthier and the only thing that is going to reduce cost is a healthier country" says Dr. Ashok Rai, President and CEO of Prevea Health.
Doctor Rai says the health care industry needs reforming, but the Affordable Care Act doesn't do it.
"With either candidate winning the act is incomplete. It is just legislation, we need to see what the regulation out of it is going to be" he explains.
But not everyone agrees.
"The Affordable Health Care Act is a wonderful thing and I support its implementation nationwide and here" says Bob Kiefert, a member of Citizen Action of Wisconsin.
Kiefert says Governor Walker wasted time implementing Wisconsin's plan.
"To do that in 9 days like he is being forced to now, is really a sad thing. It is going to be very difficult to do effectively" according to Kiefert.
Wisconsin has three choices: Take charge of a health care marketplace or exchange, let the federal government do it or share responsibility.
"Everything can be done better locally if you can do it" says Kiefert.
Doctor Rai is hopeful saying "The president has a unique opportunity right now. He doesn't have to campaign. He doesn't have to impress anybody this time around. Hopefully he'll get out of campaign mode and engage our profession in a real manner not parade 10 people in white coats during the signing of a bill".
