Scott Walker wants to save Obamacare in Wisconsin

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico

The Wisconsin governor wants to prop up the state's individual market with a $200 million program that would compensate health insurers for high-cost patients so they don’t hike premiums for everyone.

By RACHANA PRADHAN 02/23/2018 05:00 AM EST

Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, one of the nation’s most militantly anti-Obamacare governors, is making strengthening the health care law a key plank of his reelection platform as Republicans fret over potential losses in November.

Walker wants to prop up his Obamacare market with a $200 million program that would compensate health insurers for high-cost patients so they don’t hike premiums for everyone. He also would enshrine some Obamacare protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

It’s a startling turnabout for a chief executive who has repeatedly called for repealing and replacing the health law. But it could prove smart politics in a swing state where a Democrat recently flipped a seat in a state Senate district that Donald Trump carried by 17 points — a result Walker called a “wake-up call” for state Republicans. Walker sought to get out in front of a potential issue by blaming Washington — and, of course, Obamacare — for individual coverage premiums that rose an average of 36 percent this year.

"Wisconsin families need stability, especially when it comes to their health care," Walker said in his weekly radio address on Thursday. "Since Washington has failed to act on the issue, Wisconsin must lead."

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/23/scott-walker-obamacare-wisconsin-358043

[Hoyt]

1. One of his relatives must have died a painful death because they couldn't afford health insurance.

[Angry Dragon]

2. Wisconsin needs to defeat this Trump lackey and GOP ass

[karynnj]

3. Interesting that an ultraconservative Republican is fixing what Rubio broke

ACA HAD a method of doing exactly the type of reinsurance for carriers that get a disproportionate number of very sick people -- and Rubio snuck a provision into a must pass bill defunding it. That led to many states - especially red ones - having premiums that skyrocketed. This was a key provision designed to bend the cost curve.

I have two thoughts on this. One -- this is a very hopeful sign that even the right is beginning to see that people will not accept losing the insurance they got from ACA. Obviously, Walker wants to spin it as "Washington" failed and I am sure he likely blames Obama, but it was the Republicans that have thrown every bit of strength they have into trying to break ACA. In particular, it is important that people understand that Walker's proposed actions simply do what the ACA created fund that Rubio gutted was designed to do. While the most important thing is that ACA continues to work, on the political side I suspect that after 7 years of attacking ACA, they will never get "credit" for that insurance being there.

[underpants]

4. So he's creating their own Risk Corridor

The Republicans (Rubio is credited for it) shut down the Federal Risk Corridors which lead to insurance companies bailing.

[BigmanPigman]

5. Obviously this about face is an attempt

to gain more votes for his party in the midterms. It is about reps fulfilling their own personal political agendas (money and power) and not what the constituents want.

[RhodeIslandOne]

6. Rethugs will do anything to save their political asses

He’ll likely attempt to counterbalance it by promising to cut programs to “the minorities” so whitey can be okay with this.

[rainin]

7. I wish people would stop using words like wants or believes.

Politicians say whatever they have to say. No one will ever know what they actually think, believe or want. Let's be real.

[old guy]

8. He's worried about the next election.

This coupled with the phony sales tax holiday and $100 for each child is simply an attempt to buy votes. There was a time when I thought the people of Wi. were too smart to fall for scams like this, but not any more.

[LakeArenal]

9. Scott Walker competely lied to get elected the first time.....

So, now we should believe him? "Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice, won't get fooled again."

Wisconsin became bizarro land awhile ago. This is what's ahead for everyone if we don't beat these, .......
.... people?

[keithbvadu2]

10. Does that sound like socialism?

[briv1016]

11. Or he can just work with Democrats to expand Medicaid and get all those federal funds.

Way more bang for the buck. 18 states still left to go.

[Firestorm49]

12. Check your shorts.

This guy’s crapping his pants for fear of his un-election, and all of a sudden, becoming a “ friend of the people”. But don’t be fooled by his thinly veiled antics. Deep down beneath his stained shorts is his beholden true love - Party and Money. Always was. Always will be.
Scotty’s running scared, as he should. Many sleepless nights to you, Mr. walker.