Scott Walker, in fight for political life, slow-walks Medicaid work rules

[Demovictory9]

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker sought for years to put Medicaid recipients to work. Now federal officials have given him most of what he wanted, but he's delaying the process for fear the changes will doom his flailing reelection bid, say three federal officials familiar with the deliberations.

“Wisconsin's been stalling,” said one official, adding the Trump administration has been ready to formally approve and announce the state’s new work requirements for weeks. “It’s ended up being a lot of hurry-up-and-wait.”


The Walker administration disputed the governor is slow-walking the process, saying that the state is actively pursuing approval and instead blamed the Trump administration for delays. "There are ongoing conversations," said Julie Lund, a spokesperson for Wisconsin's Department of Health Services. "We've felt it's close for a while."

“The idea that Wisconsin’s been stalling is unequivocally false,” said Tom Evenson, the communications director for Walker, after initial publication of this article.

The delays around implementing Wisconsin's strict Medicaid work rules come as many Republicans have retreated from health care on the campaign trail — and as Democrats hammer the message the GOP is working to strip health protections from millions of people. Democrats have an 18-point national advantage on health care, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll released on Sunday.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/16/scott-walker-wisconsin-medicaid-midterms-903154

[bearsfootball516]

1. He's going to get slaughtered in November.

Second most unpopular governor in the country, only behind their buddies south of Wisconsin. One of many governors seats likely to flip from red to blue.