There are differences of opinion at the state Capitol on how to proceed with complying with the federal health care law now that it’s been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Governor Rick Snyder – a Republican -- says he’s no fan of the Affordable Care Act. But he likes the idea of online exchanges that are required by the law for people to comparison shop for coverage. Republican leaders in the state House have been waiting to see how the Supreme Court ruled.
Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette – one of the parties to the challenge – says the Legislature should not act before voters register their verdict on the law in the elections.
“It would be wiser, I think, to wait until November,” he says.
That would be a mistake, says Governor Snyder’s press secretary, Sara Wurfel.
“The law was upheld and it’s time to move forward to make sure we’re making the decisions that are in the best interests of Michigan, so we’re not having something imposed on us by the federal government,” she says.
Wurfel says the state could also lose out on millions of dollars in federal planning grants, and fall behind other states.