Texas Gov. Perry says no to health care expansion

AP Photo/Paul Sancya

(CBS News) Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, is the latest governor to opt-out of major aspects of the health care law. Perry indicated that he "has no intention" of expanding Medicaid or putting in place a state-based health insurance exchange, both central components to expanding health care coverage.

Perry, governor of the second most populous state, where a quarter of its 25.6 million residents are uninsured, informed the federal government of his plans in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

"I oppose both the expansion of Medicaid as provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the creation of a so-called 'state' insurance exchange, because both represent brazen intrusions into the sovereignty of our state," Perry wrote in the letter.

He added, "Through its proposed expansion of Medicaid, the [Affordable Care Act] would simply enlarge a broken system that is already financially unsustainable." Perry also wrote that state exchanges treat "the states like subcontractors through which the federal government can control the insurance markets and pursue federal priorities rather than those of the individual states."

Since the Supreme Court upheld the individual mandate but rejected the terms for the Medicaid expansion, giving states an opportunity to reject their share of the federal-state partnership, Texas becomes the latest state to indicate that it will not implement the core of the Affordable Care Act.

"I stand proudly with the growing chorus of governors who reject the Obamacare power grab," Perry said in a press release.

For the uninsured entering the insurance marketplace, a federal exchange is expected to be available if a state chooses not to implement the state-based exchange.

A post-Supreme Court guide to the health care law

As for some of the 16 million expected to be eligible for the new Medicaid expansion who live in states planning to opt out, such as Texas, the path to insurance is unclear, potentially leaving millions uninsured.

[sargenty01]

Thats why Texas has a surplus and so many comnpanies are moving here because of our low taxes.Thankfully we are here so they don't have to move to China!

[JEngdahlJ]

Which states will get on the exchange bandwagon in wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on PPACA?
http://www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=5658

[ParadoxisOK]

Rich Perry and the Republican Party of Karl Rove have destroyed the state of Texas. The guy is so out of touch with the real world that it is sickening, but the yahoos, the religious fruitcakes, the morons, the KKK, the Birchers, and the criminal right wing bubba's love the fool. He is a hand puppet of Karl Rove and the idiot "teapartiers". I call him the "Mabarak" of Texas...odd, his followers think that this is a compliment!!!

Oh well....the idiots of Texas have kept this fool in office for 3 terms! It is a nightmare for Texas!

Texas is in need of a "Spring", not unlike those sweeping the Arab world. Idiots ruling countries and states aren't limited to that part of the world, we've got one here in Texas!

[lg144]

Ever notice republicans NEVER run budget deficits on spending to help average Americans? They ALWAYS waste taxpayer dollars on things to empty the treasury without helping people. This is strategic by republicans. They do this and then cry the country is broke and we can't afford that! They do this because they NEVER want average americans to think government can help and enhance them. They ALWAYS use government to help corporations, big oil and the wealthy, not average Americans. This is why republicans ALWAYS speak negatively of government. Wake up people!

This is why they have been on a 30 plus years crusade against governemnt. To convince average Americans that government is no good and cannot do anything positive for them. They use the term Limited Government" what they really mean as republicans we limit governments ability to help and enhance the lives of average Americans while enhusiastically supporting corporations, big oil and the super rich.

Can any republican supporter state any republican bill, policy or current political stance that favors struggling Americans over corporations, big oil and the wealthy? Of course this looong list will justify republicans deserving the votes of struggling Americans over President Obama and Democrats, right? Republicans are using playing on the racism against President Obama of some voters to get them to vote republican. Which ironically is the very party that has blocked and stopped ever piece of legislation from President Obama that would help average Americans. This election voters will decide whether to reward the republican party which has brazenly worked to keep them jobless or reward President Obama for constantly fighting against them on behalf of average Americans.

Wake Up Voters!

[notreich]

It should come as no surprise from a guy who called Social Security a Ponzi scheme and wants to totally get rid of Midicare as well.

[notreich]

Nobody ever accused Rick Perry of having enough isight to look down the road.

[lg144]

Any of you Obama haters have a pre existing condition? Health care providers denies coverage to people with a pre existing condition. How about an adult child younger than 26 unable to get their own health coverage? Any of you at the limits of your health coverage therefore elgible to be dropped by your health care provider?

President Obama's affordable care act fixes those things and others. What are republicans offering in its place? Not a damn thing that helps average Americans.

[Kestrel88]

Since federal money is so "bad", maybe L'il Ricky can stop taking FEMA money the next time his state's under water or on fire.

And oh, stop making the taxpayers fund YOUR healthcare, Ricky.

[baileycccc]

It is mind boggling that a state as sharp as Texas could elect a loser like Perry.

[Lindag20]

Tere are MANY inteeligent people in Texas. Unfortunately they're outnumbered by the religious nuts and social conservatives that vote people like Perry into office.

[Lindag20]

What a fine Christian man Perry is. A quarter of the population of the state of Texas has no health insurance and he doesn't want to expand any program that might lead to covering them. He's the kind of leader that ALL Christians should follow.