Texas hospitals, clinics and charities have received an enthusiastic response to the new health care law, helping people sign up for insurance after Gov. Rick Perry declared the state government would do as little as possible to help implement the Affordable Care Act.
More than 6 million Texans lack health insurance and a call center in Austin on Tuesday received more than 180 calls by 11 a.m., most people seeking health care. The center normally gets 150 calls a day.
Because of Perry's opposition, some local agencies chose not to assist people, but the non-profits that received federal funding, such as United Way, said demand was strong.
Texas is one of 36 states relying on the federal government to set up online market places to sell insurance, known as exchanges.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.