Politics
Baldwin: Walker to blame for Obamacare collapse
Among the things Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is getting blamed for is the hit on the Affordable Care Act, courtesy of a federal judge who struck down the law Friday.
Wisconsin is one of 20 states that sued the federal government in February over the law, the federal judge declared unconstitutional.
“Walker’s lawsuit would take away guaranteed health protections and raise costs for Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said.
Walker also signed legislation last week that keeps incoming Gov. Tony Evers from withdrawing Wisconsin from the lawsuit.
Many lawmakers criticized Walker for signing the legislation and for the state’s involvement in the Affordable Care Act lawsuit, which is blanket protection for those with pre-existing conditions.
But that is now under siege by the ruling. Republicans’ had made efforts to repeal the ACA and replace it with the so-called Graham-Cassidy bill back in October.
“I think it’s awesome …,” Walker told Breitbart. “It’s a winner all the way around.”
Of course, reports were that the Graham-Cassidy bill said states could have allowed for waivers to let insurers charge sick patients higher premiums and stop covering certain benefits required under the ACA. It also said states could obtain waivers to permit insurers to charge different premiums based on health status, age or other factors.
It’s unclear whether this was a response to criticism, but Walker tweeted a couple of bible verses with no other context over the weekend.
The judge in Texas determined the individual insurance mandate was unconstitutional, so the whole law must be tossed out.
The law remains in effect, pending an appeal.