Walker rejects additional federal funding for Medicaid
Gov. Scott Walker announced today he will reject additional federal Medicaid funding for the state's BadgerCare program, breaking with other Republican governors who have decided to accept federal money for a Medicaid expansion as offered through President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.
US Representative Gregg Harper, a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, made the following statement today on the House floor in support of legislation to repeal the ``Affordable Care Act:'' ``The so-called 'Affordable Care Act' is nothing short of politics above economics. ``This penalizing law is loaded with excessive constraints and oppressive federal mandates on states. As Medicaid rolls rise, state revenues continue to fall, and this law only increases the challenges that Governors face in their attempts to balance their budgets. ``Instead of granting state executives the authority to tailor their Medicaid programs to their states' diverse populations, the 'Affordable Care Act' implements a one-size-fits-all Maintenance of Effort provision which restricts states from changing their Medicaid programs. ``Republicans want to provide states with the flexibility they need to manage their health programs. This is simply one example of why I am committed to repealing this carelessly crafted health care law and replacing it with reforms centered on decreasing costs and protecting our middle-class jobs.''