Texas Already Benefiting From Health Law, Despite Perry’s Opposition #p2 #tcot

from http://thinkprogress.org/health/2011/08/22/300859/texas-already-benefiting-from-health-law-despite-perrys-opposition/

Rick Perry may establish a health care exchange by executive order if the Supreme Court finds the law constitutional, the Associated Press is reporting. In fact, "Texas has received various grants under Obama's law for planning, insurance regulation and consumer education" and the state employee benefits system "says it expects to draw $60 million in federal subsidies this year to help cover its early retirees." But Perry has issued a veto threat against legislation to establish state-based exchanges, even as the state's health department is quietly "going full speed ahead on implementation, doing the due diligence so that we can be on time with what the law says." According to HealthCare.gov, "the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $77.4 million in new grant funding available in Texas, and helped many residents and employers take more control of their health care – from new patient protections to new coverage options."