WI Gov. to announce benefits exchange decision

Gov. Scott Walker has until Friday to announce whether Wisconsin will establish its own state-run health insurance exchange or accept the federal government's system.

This week, Walker has been meeting privately with state health and insurance officials, including Ted Nickel, Insurance Commissioner, and Dennis Smith, Department of Health Service Secretary, according to The Green Bay Press Gazette.

The governor's office is facing opposing political pressure on the issue. State Democrats are urging Walker to adopt a state-run exchange, claiming ceding power to the federal government will make it difficult for the state to exercise control over health insurance in the future. Meanwhile, Tea Party Republicans oppose the exchange. The newspaper states 20 members from various tea party groups across the state sent Walker a letter urging him to continue to oppose the Affordable Care Act. Nine Republican lawmakers said they'd defend legislation to arrest federal officials who attempted to implement the law that mandates health exchanges next year, according to the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel.

So far, 17 states and Washington, D.C. are setting up their own exchanges and 10 states will let the federal government take charge.