Almost as fast as Wisconsin started its preparations for state insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act, Republican Governor Walker issued an emergency rule stopping work on the development of a Wisconsin exchange.
Governor Walker, a vocal critic of health care reform, appended Wisconsin to the multi-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of health care reform, particularly the individual mandate to purchase health insurance. Walker has indicated that moving forward with development of an exchange would not be productive if the law is declared unconstitutional. He has directed the state to cease work on a prototype exchange until after the U.S. Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of the law. All eyes will be on the Supreme Court as they hear oral arguments on the issue March 26-28, 2012. A ruling is expected in June this year.
Critics of the Governor's actions are requesting that he return the initial grant money Wisconsin accepted from the federal government in 2011.
