She told the AP she doesn't believe her funding request, totaling $29.8 million, is inconsistent with her opposition to the law. The Affordable Care Act requires states to establish their own insurance exchange or the federal government would instead. Brewer said Arizona "would be far better off to engage in a health exchange that we operate to fit our particular kind of delivery of services."
Arizona is one of 27 states joined in a lawsuit against the federal government to prevent the implementation of the ACA. Brewer has been criticized by members of her own party for seeking the federal money, the news agency reports. But while Brewer still hopes the lawsuit blocking the new law will be successful, she said she believes it's important to be prepared.
"I would rather have not had to ask for the money, but certainly I know life is full of risks," Brewer told the AP. "If some part of the Obama plan does find muster, Arizona will be prepared. That's what I do as governor of Arizona, and that's be prepared and do the right thing for Arizona."
