Non-profits, including local United Way, get $10.8M to promote health care law

 

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Non-profits based in Texas will receive $10.8 million to advertise and sign people up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

The Obama administration announced the awards Thursday. Texas groups will receive about 16 percent of the $67 million given to organizations that will help people understand their new insurance opportunities.

The largest recipient is United Way of Metropolitan Tarrant County, which received $5.8 million, and will work with 17 organizations to help people use exchanges to get covered. The health care overhaul requires everyone to sign up for health care coverage, whether by paying for private insurance or signing up for a government program. People with insurance through their employer will not be affected.

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Eight groups will receive grants ranging from $5.8 million to $376,000.

Republican leaders in Texas oppose the law.