Walker will return $37 million for health care

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Scott Walker says he will return $37 million to the federal government that had been given to help implement health care exchanges under the health care reform law.

Walker announced in December that Wisconsin would not pursue implementing the exchange until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the law.

But he did not say whether the state would return the grant. On Wednesday Walker said he was notifying the federal government that it was turning down the Early Innovator Grant, saying it didn't make sense to commit to reforms that could have a devastating economic impact.

The American Cancer Society calls Walker's action a move backward.

The exchanges are designed to help consumers and small businesses compare health plans and increase competition by requiring insurers to offer more plans and provide more information.