CHRIS TOMLINSON, Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas hospitals, clinics and charities are gearing up to help uninsured Texans enroll in health care exchanges after Gov. Rick Perry declared the state government would do as little as possible to help implement the Affordable Care Act.
Millions of Texans without health insurance became eligible Tuesday to buy coverage through a federally controlled online marketplace. Texas is one of 27 states that did not set up its own health insurance exchange because of Republican opposition to the plan.
Texas has the highest rate of uninsured in the country, about one in four residents. For those unable to sign-up online, the federal government has given money to groups across the state to enroll people in person.
Texas did not expand Medicaid to the working poor, so millions will remain uninsured.