GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - When it comes to the so called "ObamaCare", the battle in the courtroom is over, but it maybe just beginning in Wisconsin.
Calling it a "massive tax on the people of Wisconsin and Americans", Governor Scott Walker vowed Thursday he would ignore the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and not implement the federal health care law at least until after the November elections.
"Our hope on Nov. 6 that there will be voters here and across America who see fit to put in candidates for President, U.S. Senate, and the House that will seek to change and repeal that mandate on the American people," said Walker, a Republican.
Nearly 30 states, including Wisconsin, sued over the law alleging it was unconstitutional. The state's Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, also a Republican, handled Wisconsin's participation in the lawsuit. Yet even he told Walker Thursday he must follow the federal health care law.
Walker has already turned down $38 million in federal money that would help Wisconsin set up what is called a Health Insurance Exchange. It is a marketplace of insurance plans set up through the state so people can find the most competitive coverage.
"We've got some catching up to do," said Jon Peacock with Wisconsin Council on Children and Families.
Peacock, the advocacy group's research director, says although the majority of the law goes into effect regardless of what Walker does, it still puts the 500,000 people uninsured in the Badger State behind the eight ball.
"It's going to be challenging because of the foot dragging that has already occurred and may continue to occur," he said.
Peacock is also concerned about what this may mean for people on the state's Medicaid coverage, such as BadgerCare Plus. He worries extra funding from the federal government may be delayed or even lost.
But Republicans argue that federal rules may disqualify Wisconsin from extra funding because too many people are on the state's waiting list.
That said, despite Thursday's historic high court ruling, Walker is waiting for the other ruling that could derail the law, the November elections.
"While the court made it legal, it doesn't make it right," said Walker.