Walker's Denial, Bad Bets on Health Care Coming Due

Gov. Walker and his ideologically-rigid conservative legislative allies gambled and lost - - twice - - as they delayed planning for Wisconsin's role in establishing national health care purchasing programs ("exchanges") required in all states by the Affordable Health Care Act, or "Obamacare."

These exchanges will open up the insurance market for consumers. If you believe in the marketplace, you ought to want the exchanges functioning competently, widely and as quickly as possible - - since the exchanges and the rest of Obamacare will keep on rolling out to full implementation.

But Walker-and-friends-who-knew-better delayed the planning once when they hoped the US Supreme Court would knock out Obamacare - - which didn't happen.

They delayed again when they bet that Romney would defeat Obama and begin the repeal of Obamacare on Day One, blah-blah-blah - - which didn't happen.

Now they face a long-standing November 16 deadline for committing to the planning - - having also forfeited millions in federal planning assistance - - after having frittered away months of prep time.

The ironic thing is that if Wisconsin doesn't set up the mechanisms for state citizens to be able to search the web and shop around to find health insurance, the feds will set it up for Wisconsin - - a Walker-created usurpation of a state's rights by the Federal Guvmint.

Some weird leadership - - but not surprising, given Walker's long hostility towards federal health care initiatives.

Wisconsin details here.

National picture, here.