LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - A local attorney who has studied the Affordable Care Act says while there will be changes similar to the rest of the country when it comes to implementing the program.
Young people would be able to stay on their parents insurance until age 26.
What will make a difference is if Governor Scott Walker does not implement the Medicaid Expansion Program. The Supreme Court in their ruling said states don't have to comply with the expansion and that the federal government couldn't restrict funding as punishment.
Attorney Cheryl Gill says the expansion program gives states the opportunity to qualify more people under Medicaid. "Medicaid is really a federal program that is administered by the states," she says. "And if a state participates in the expansion, they will get federal funds to assist them. But some of the expansion will have to be paid for by the state."
Wisconsin is required to start the health exchange by 2014 to help those who can't afford insurance. If they don't, the federal government can come in and set it up.
Governor Scott Walker says he won't implement the changes until after November, the thought being the Act could be repealed if Republicans win the White House and Senate.
Earlier this year, Governor Walker returned a federal grant intended to assist with the implementation.
