MILWAUKEE — Gov. Scott Walker is dismissing an attempt by 20 Wisconsin counties to circumvent the state and deal directly with the federal government to get money to pay for Medicaid programs.

Walker said Friday that "There really isn't a need for counties or anybody else to act on that because we have options."

Walker rejected $12 billion in federal Medicaid money over the next decade and instead tightened income eligibility for the state BadgerCare program to only those earning below poverty.

Twenty counties upset with that decision sent a letter this week to state health Secretary Kitty Rhoades asking that the state not be the only conduit for the federal money.

Walker addressed the issue during a news conference kicking off the National Governors Association meeting in Milwaukee.