Medicaid refusal is the 'Wisconsin way,' Walker says

WESTON – Gov. Scott Walker made a stop in Weston Monday to discuss the progress manufacturing has made during his tenure and to defend his decision to decline federal funding to expand Medicaid coverage for the state.

Walker visited the C TECH Manufacturing facility in Weston the same day that the state's nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau released a report saying Walker's decision cost the state more than $200 million during this biennial budget and could cost Wisconsin $315 million in the 2015-2017 budget.

Walker is among about 25 governors who refused federal funding to expand the program, called BadgerCare in Wisconsin. According to the Affordable Care Act, the federal government would pay 100 percent of the cost to assist people earning up to 138 percent of the poverty level, or about $16,105 for individuals and $32,913, through 2016. Walker's approach is to expand the program for those earning up to 100 percent of the poverty level, or about $11,670 for an individual or $23,850 for a family of four, but no one above that limit.

"Anybody that's been paying attention to the Federal government knows it has about a $17 trillion debt," Walker said. "They've reneged many times in the past, whether on medicaid or special education funding."

Anyone who believes the federal government will keep up its end of the bargain, Walker said, is "living in a bit of a fantasy."

Walker made those comments as at least 11 counties, including Marathon, Lincoln, Portage and Adams, are considering or have decided to hold referendums in November asking residents if they support expanding BadgerCare. The referendums carry no statutory weight but could put increased political pressure on Walker to reverse his decision.

When asked whether the referendum results would influence his stance on BadgerCare, Walker said, "From our standpoint, the biggest referendum will be the one on Nov. 4. The reality is we were able to do things the Wisconsin way, to cover everyone living in poverty for the first time in the state's history, and not expose Wisconsin taxpayers to higher costs in the future."

Walker said that moving forward with this plan will avoid exposing "our taxpayers to the costs that will come in the future when the federal government reneges just like they've done many times before."

Andy Davis can be reached at 715-845-0665.