Gov. Walker to announce decision on health exchange

MADISON (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker plans to announce whether he will implement a state-run health insurance exchange or turn that responsibility over to President Barack Obama's administration.

States faced a Friday deadline to notify the Obama administration of their plans.

Numerous groups, including the state's chamber of commerce and the Wisconsin Hospital Association, have urged Walker to have the state run the virtual marketplace where people can shop for private health insurance coverage. But conservatives are calling on Walker to leave it to the Obama administration.

In an interview with The New York Times, Walker questioned whether the federal government would actually allow states to shape the exchanges. The governor says he wouldn't want to ``take on the potential risk to taxpayers'' if the state didn't have true control.

Walker plans to announce his decision Friday morning.