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Texas Seeks Federal Funding For Mentally Disabled

Texas is asking for additional funding through the Affordable Care Act to help the mentally disabled, a move that will allow the state to settle a lawsuit.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday that the state is working on a program that will allow mentally disabled Texans to remain at home, rather than go to assisted living facilities. The program is part of the Affordable Care Act, which could bring more than $93 million to the state.

Establishing the Community First Choice program is also the centerpiece of a legal settlement with disability rights groups who filed suit against the state in 2010.

HHS spokeswoman Stephanie Goodman said the program will not added people to Medicaid, only allow them more options for care.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.