MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Those attending a health conference in Madison are learning more Monday about how the new federal health insurance purchasing exchanges will work.

U.S. Health and Human Services Regional Director Ken Munson planned to give an update at the Health Watch Wisconsin Conference.

Those who don’t get coverage from their employers or other government programs will use the exchanges to buy insurance that will be mandated under the Obama health law starting in 2014.

Wisconsin had a chance to tailor an exchange to its own needs. But Republican Governor Scott Walker turned down the opportunity, saying it would have cost state taxpayers more money in the long run.

Earlier this month, Walker announced plans to drop Medicaid’s Badger Care coverage to individuals making more than the poverty level.

His proposed state budget would move those people into the federal exchanges, where Walker says they’ll get coverage for as low as $19 a month.