Governor Walker to Congressman Kind: Thank You for the Opportunity to Set the Record Straight

Madison – Governor Scott Walker today issued a response to Congressman Ron Kind following his suggestion on the Obamacare Medicaid expansion. Excerpts of Governor Walker’s letter are below, and the full letter is attached.

“Wisconsin is one of the best states in the nation for access to coverage. We do not need to take the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare.

“The Kaiser Family Foundation shows Wisconsin has no coverage gap. We found a Wisconsin-specific way to cover everyone living in poverty under Medicaid for the first time in state history. For those living above poverty without coverage, we helped transition them into the marketplace. Today, Wisconsin outranks 43 other states for access to coverage.”
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“Your oversimplified suggestion would use federal taxpayer dollars to shift people from coverage in the private marketplace to a government-run system. This would subject Wisconsinites to the whims of Washington D.C.”
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“As for your advice on budgetary matters, I inherited a $3.6 billion budget deficit when we first took office. Every year since then, we have ended with a budget surplus. In fact, we ended FY 2016 with a positive general fund balance of $331 million, and it is expected to grow to $453 million by the end of FY 2017.”
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“In contrast, when you first took office in January 1997, the federal debt was $5 trillion. Today, the federal debt is approaching $20 trillion. In your first campaign for Congress more than 20 years ago, you stated lowering the nation’s debt would be one of your top priorities.

“Having stated these facts, I trust you will understand the humor I find in receiving budgetary advice from a member of Congress who is asking me to have Wisconsin taxpayers buy into Obamacare, which itself has increased the federal deficit by billions upon billions.

“Thank you for your letter and the opportunity to set the record straight on our successful reforms and why they are a much better alternative to the Obamacare expansion.”

• 04.06.17+Letter+to+Congressman+Kind.pdf

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.