Speculation has been running wild since President Obama was reelected as to what Governor Bentley would do regarding the implementation an Obamacare-mandated health insurance exchange. At today’s Birmingham Business Alliance Luncheon, Governor Bentley put the speculation to rest: Alabama will not be implementing a healthcare exchange.

“I am not going to set up a state-based exchange that will create a tax burden of up to $50 million on the people of Alabama. As governor, I cannot support adding such a tax burden onto our citizens,” Governor Bentley said.

Health insurances exchanges are standardized, federally regulated health care plans from which individuals may purchase health insurance eligible for federal subsidies. Friday is the deadline for states to notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about their intentions, but after a few days of huddling with Administration attorneys and speaking with other Governors, Bentley made his decision.

“I have been speaking individually and in group settings with governors from all over the country, and I feel that a significant number of these governors will take a similar stand,” Governor Bentley added. “That will send a clear signal to all of our elected leaders in Washington that the health care bill should be changed.”

Conservatives around the state had been optimistic that the Governor would refuse to set up a state-based exchange. “The Supreme Court’s ruling…has paved the way for governors and state legislators to become the real heroes of the fight against ObamaCare,” wrote Rainy Day Patriots founder Zan Green in an open letter to Governor Bentley on Monday.

The Governor also decided not to opt into the expansion of Medicaid which would extend Medicaid coverage to folks making up to 133% of the poverty level. His decision likely centers around the concern that the state will not be able to carry the burden that a Medicaid expansion would put on Alabama’s beleaguered General Fund Budget. “Over time, the increased costs to states could be dramatic,” a Bentley spokesperson told the Montgomery Advertiser last week.

Bentley’s decisions will be widely praised by the majority of Alabamians. His announcement will also, however, surely attract the ire of the establishment media who have spent most of the last week complaining that Alabamians haven’t cowed to the president’s every leftwing policy wish in the wake of his reelection.

“The Affordable Care Act is neither affordable nor does it actually improve health care. Congress and the President have said they want to work together to solve the fiscal crisis facing this country, and I suggest they start with this health care bill.”

We’ll update this story throughout the day as we gather more information & get reaction from stakeholders across the state.

Alabama will not establish a Health Insurance Exchange and We will not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

— Gov.Robert Bentley (@GovernorBentley) November 13, 2012

I applaud @governorbentley‘s principled stand against Obamacare. facebook.com/notes/mike-hub… #alpolitics

— Mike Hubbard (@SpeakerHubbard) November 13, 2012