Walker says SeniorCare plan about getting feds to pay

WATERTOWN, Wis. (AP) - Gov. Scott Walker says his plan to require SeniorCare participants to first sign up for Medicare Part D isn't about changing benefits, it's about getting the federal government to pay for part of the costs.

Walker resurrected the plan in his budget released this week. The Legislature rejected the idea in 2011 under bipartisan opposition.

Walker said Thursday that his plan would keep the structure of SeniorCare in place and not eliminate or affect benefits people receive. The proposal would save the state $15 million over two years.

His argument on SeniorCare comes at the same time he defends rejecting federal money to pay for expansion of Medicaid, arguing that the federal government can't be relied on to fulfill its obligations.