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Governors Will Focus on Workforce Training, Amid Health Care Changes

NGA

As the National Governors Association meeting drew to a close Sunday in Milwaukee, the new chair announced the NGA's next focus:  preparing tomorrow's workers. The 23 governors who attended do not agree on the health care reform road the U.S. is on, but do agree their states and the country must boost education and training, in order to prepare the next generation of workers.

New NGA Chair, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin announced the initiative, calling it, America Works.

Several governors asked questions and expressed concern over the weekend gathering, about the approaching health care changes their states face. Many Democratic-led states have gone along with the Obama Administration's Affordable Care Act by expanding their Medicaid guidelines and creating a marketplace where residents can shop for health care.

Many Republican governors, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, rejected both federal money to expand Medicaid and to create a statewide exchange - giving the job to the Obama administration. Republicans have said they intend to use the massive health care shift, to attack Democrats in the 2014 elections.

Democratic governors insist they'll be better positioned than the GOP, because their reformed health care systems will be higher-functioning.

Under the ACA, people can begin enrolling in marketplace plans in October, with premiums due in December and coverage beginning in January.