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Racine Tea Party talks health care
Racine Tea Party talks health care
RACINE -- The Racine Tea Party held a healthcare forum Sunday afternoon, January 13th. Organizers say the public needs to know more about why Wisconsin chose not to create a state-based exchange system.
Congressman Paul Ryan returned to Racine County two months after losing his bid for vice president -- to a thunderous ovation.
Ryan told the conservative crowd on Sunday his fellow Republican lawmakers in Madison are right to have the federal government implement a new healthcare exchange system in Wisconsin.
In December, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced Wisconsin would nether create nor work with federal officials on building a Badger State exchange under the Affordable Care Act.
"Why would we take ownership for something where the design has already been created? All that hasn't happened yet is have it be put together," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R - Burlington) said.
Democratic state Rep. Jon Richards (D - Milwaukee) says it would be better to have Wisconsin health officials put together that design.
"The Wisconsin healthcare market is not the same as Michigan, or California, or Florida, or New York. We have our own unique healthcare market. Some parts of it work great, some parts need some help but we should have people who are familiar with the Wisconsin healthcare market draft the rules for Wisconsin and that's what we were saying," Rep. Richards said.
More than 30 other states have joined Wisconsin in opting out of the state-run exchange systems.
Rep. Richards challenges the law's opponents to come up with something better.
"Rather than having the federal or state government just write a check for whatever procedures people want, whether they're necessary or not, I would've supported and I still support a more competitive marketplace," Rep. Richards said.