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datetime="2015-03-23T06:12:48.698476">Monday, March 23, 2015</time> </div> </header> </div> <div class="wrapper content-wrapper"> <div id="site_content" class="content "> <div class="grid"> <div class="cell w-8 main_column"> <article> <header> <h1><a href="/web/20150323111248/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/texas-has-high-stakes-battle-over-health-law/">Texas Has High Stakes in Lawsuit Over Health Law</a></h1> <ul class="meta separator"><li class="byline"> by <a href="/web/20150323111248/http://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/edgar-walters/">Edgar Walters</a></li><li><time datetime="Tue, 10 Feb 2015 06:00:00 -0600" title="2015-02-10 06:00"> Feb. 10, 2015 </time></li><li class="comments"><a class="comments" href="/web/20150323111248/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/texas-has-high-stakes-battle-over-health-law/comments/"><span class="value">37</span><span class="label">Comments</span></a></li></ul> </header> <aside> <ul class="social_links"> <li class="comment"> <a 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Walters.%20http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/texas-has-high-stakes-battle-over-health-law/%0DTexas%20and%20the%2033%20other%20states%20that%20refused%20to%20set%20up%20their%20own%20insurance%20exchanges%20under%20the%20Affordable%20Care%20Act%20are%20especially%20vulnerable%20to%20an%20impending%20U.S.%20Supreme%20Court%20decision." title="" class="email"> <i class="icon-envelope"></i> <span>Email</span> </a> </li> <li class="twitter"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://twitter.com/share?text=Texas Has High Stakes in Lawsuit Over Health Law&url=http://trib.it/16IvORd&via=TexasTribune&related=TexasTribune,TribData"> <i class="icon-twitter"></i> <span>Tweet</span> </a> </li> <li class="facebook"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/texas-has-high-stakes-battle-over-health-law/"> <i class="icon-facebook"></i> <span>Recommend</span> </a> </li> </ul> </aside> <div class="content"> <p>When former Gov. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.texastribune.org/directory/rick-perry/">Rick Perry</a> declined to create an insurance marketplace in Texas under the Affordable Care Act, he put his foot down with dramatic flair.</p> <p>For Perry, accepting federal money to create a state insurance exchange would have meant acquiescing to yet another of the Obama administration’s “brazen intrusions into the sovereignty of our state,” he wrote in<strong> </strong>a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://gov.texas.gov/files/press-office/O-SebeliusKathleen201207090024.pdf">scathing letter</a> in 2012<strong> </strong>to the president’s then-health czar, Kathleen Sebelius.</p> <p>Nearly 1 million Texans have now signed up for health insurance on the federal marketplace, known as healthcare.gov. But Texas, and 33 other states that did ...</p> <p><a id="content_more" href="/web/20150323111248/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/10/texas-has-high-stakes-battle-over-health-law/" class="more" title="Read full story">Full Story</a></p> </div> </article> <div id="comment_policy"> <header class="smallcaps"> <h1>Comment Policy</h1> </header> <p> The Texas Tribune is pleased to provide the opportunity for you to share your observations about this story. We encourage lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask that you refrain from using profanity or other offensive speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising, or wandering away from the topic at hand. To comment, you must be a registered user of the Tribune, and your user name will be displayed. Thanks for taking time to offer your thoughts. </p> <p class="anonymous_message"> <strong>You must be logged in to leave a comment.</strong> <a href="/web/20150323111248/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/login/?next=">Login</a> <script> (function(){ var allScripts = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), currentScript = allScripts[allScripts.length - 1], node = currentScript; while (node = node.previousSibling) { if (node.nodeName == "A"){ node.href += document.location.pathname; break; } }; })(); </script> | <a href="/web/20150323111248/http://www.texastribune.org/accounts/register/">Sign-Up</a> </p> </div> <section id="comments_container" class="sidebar_block"> <header> <h1>Comments (37)</h1> </header> <ul class="comments"> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 7:33 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> Get Off </span> </p> <p class="comment">Interesting case of nasty politics and hatred of the president. Pardon me if I don't believe Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick that they are going to bring a solution to the "unique needs" of Texas. Their party has had a stranglehold on political power for over 2 decades and they have presented ZERO healthcare plans for their constituents. ZERO. Along comes the ACA, which is virtually identical to the Republican plan presented as an alternative to Clinton's plan in 1993, but they now oppose is simply because Obama supported it. Now our elected politicians are publicly supporting a lawsuit to kill federal subsidies, which if successful, with take healthcare away from millions of Americans. If Obamacare is so awful, why is it that NOT ONE corporation is supporting this lawsuit? In fact, some, like Hospital Corporation of America, are actively fighting against the lawsuit. Why, because Obamacare is good for Americans while also being good for corporations. Yet the Republicans are desperately trying to kill it. This is simply playing to a radical, teeth gritting, hate filled base. Not about healthcare.</p> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009003583755"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100009003583755/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:08 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009003583755">Ragnar Danneskjold</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Perhaps the democrats in congress should have read the law before they passed the law.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005442156118"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100005442156118/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:15 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005442156118">Harrison McPherson</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Jubaile Abila Noor Ali</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002713850819"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100002713850819/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:17 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002713850819">Gilma D Chavarri</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">These Republicans are the party of "No," but they give no other options and remember the millions of Texasns that have no insurance thanks to Perry. He decided not to accept the expansion of Medicaid which was free money from the Federal Government !!! He wants to look good with by Republicans to become president !</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:18 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> Dale Curry </span> </p> <p class="comment">1,000,000 Texans now have insurance that did not and Abbott and the Republicans find it a bad thing. Emblematic of the failed right wing dogma embraced by our Elected state leaders. And what is their response, more lies and more frivolous suits. Oh, and more lies and dogma. At the end of the day, The only death Panels aid the collection of right wing ideologues passing as our Governor and Lt. Gov. </p> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006466320146"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100006466320146/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:21 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006466320146">Andy N Stef Nations</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">LOL "free money from the government" as stated above... it amazes me that people really believe this money is "free"</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1445949904"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1445949904/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:27 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1445949904">Karen Anne Swan</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">To refuse Medicaid expansion to 1.3 million Texans while also refusing to set up an exchange for people to buy health insurance while professing to be pro life is strictly a republican thing.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688522297"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/688522297/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:35 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688522297">Sunny Wells</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Nora Cox Belcher- I'd like your take.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000320239457"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100000320239457/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:43 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000320239457">Robert Martinez</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Obama Care is not free, we still pay, but makes Health Care affordable!</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614546425"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/614546425/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:49 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614546425">Cynthia Casper Robertson</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">I sure hope that happens. It would be a well-deserved and costly scenario for Texas all due to the ignorance of voters who elected both Perry and now Abbott. You get what you vote for.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1273593366"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1273593366/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 8:56 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1273593366">Rachel Waller Naugle</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">It just sickens me that people would put partisanship above what's in the best interest of people, especially the poorest among us. Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal the law and have already lost one Supreme Court case over this, and now they are trying to sabotage the law while hurting the pocketbooks of millions of Americans. I just don't understand where their "family values" are at this point. They aren't working for my family.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1102185857"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1102185857/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:05 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1102185857">Debra Davis</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Texas should be ashamed.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1203007526"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1203007526/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:10 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1203007526">Jimmy Wiggins</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Growing the dependant voter pool. That's all this garbage accomplished and all it was designed to accomplish.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1203007526"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1203007526/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:10 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1203007526">Jimmy Wiggins</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">I'm still waiting to see the number of enrollees MINUS those who had to sign up because they lost their insurance due to this.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1203007526"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1203007526/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:12 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1203007526">Jimmy Wiggins</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">I'm surprised that Obama care doesn't come with Amway.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523676812"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/523676812/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:20 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=523676812">Ricky Hart</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">It's pretty obvious that they have their health care but don't care if anyone else does... It's a trend that will go away, one day, as the poor get poorer, outnumber the wealthy, and vote them out of office, as is the American trend...</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1032529780"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1032529780/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:22 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1032529780">Mark Metcalf</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Before Obamacare, my health care was paid 100% by TX taxpayers. So if the subsidies are struck down, I will get free health care again. Thank you, neighbors! Remember Dallas county spent $650 million on uninsured citizens last year.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1260880284"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1260880284/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:24 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1260880284">Jeff Funkhouser</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Of course it's not 'free'! It's paid for by all Americans instead of the county taxpayers where many of these newly insured would've been treated at the county hospital at local taxpayer expense. When combined w/ an expansion of Medicaid the ACA would've meant Tx got to keep more of its share of Federal taxes to support Texans. As it is we're supporting the indigent andow-income workers in states that embraced the ACA whole hog. About time we supported our own!</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002134148577"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100002134148577/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:37 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002134148577">Tucker Max</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Personal responsibility, folks. It's not the government's job to supply healthcare for you . . . or change your diaper, or take out your trash.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1163711361"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1163711361/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:44 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1163711361">Beverly Nuckols</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">The law is what it is. The Dems crammed a flawed document through after they voted it in. *They* didn't fix the law's provisions for exchanges and subsidies. Also, you would think that the TT would be more clear on what the Governor of Texas has power to do without the Legislatures' passing a law. TT, you took the low road, here.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001649933694"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100001649933694/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:53 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001649933694">Steve Fields</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">"TEXAS TRIBUNE'----Always the "PEJORATIVE" Source of Gossip, Fear, & Thunder------I GUESS THAT'S WHY THEY ENDORSED "WENDY"--and appeal to Democrats.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1075480615"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1075480615/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 9:59 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1075480615">Marty Ellis Cates</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Let's just make sure we do t ever get single payer healthcare. We have to keep insurance companies RICH! What would we ever do without those crooks?</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1399925636"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1399925636/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 10:19 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1399925636">Joan Hardy</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">They can spend billions in no bid contracts but by god they aren't going to let our citizens get insurance coverage.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=554547780"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/554547780/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 10:21 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=554547780">Nancy Campbell</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">just like everything else .. government you are intruding on us in EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH!!!</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1395460808"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1395460808/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 10:28 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1395460808">John Denson</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">I had pre existing conditions and was not able to purchase at any price</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007141275630"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100007141275630/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 10:56 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007141275630">Betty Barron</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Please do not take this privilege away from so many hard working Americans</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009003583755"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100009003583755/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 11:07 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009003583755">Ragnar Danneskjold</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">I recently asked my friend's little girl what she wanted to be when she grows up. She said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents, liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, 'If you were President what would be the first thing you would do?' She replied, 'I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people.'Her parents beamed.<br/><br/>'Wow...what a worthy goal.' I told her, 'But you don't have to wait until you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow the lawn, pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food and a new house.'<br/><br/>She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, 'Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?' <br/><br/>I said, 'Welcome to the Republican Party.'</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1042407014"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1042407014/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 11:40 a.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1042407014">Christina Thompson Rankin</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">And yes these poor imbeciles always vote Republican against their own best interest.....</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1089871544"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1089871544/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 12:18 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1089871544">Kathy Thompson Baker</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">No!!!' California Care is a mess, we don't want that!!!!</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 12:21 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> Charles McCain </span> </p> <p class="comment">Texas, the state with the MOST under-educated, ill-informed populace in the country and darn proud of it! <br/>How is it that so many actually vote AGAINST their own interests? Because you choose to elect the same neanderthal-like politicians over and over again. <br/>Texas, last in everything except for the number of buffoons in politics and gun ownership!</p> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007460522852"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/100007460522852/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 12:28 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007460522852">Sha Ron</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">I can't wait for the republicans.Get rid of obstacles.or accessable care. Its no cheaper at the end.you might as well get regular insurance.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027042920"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1027042920/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 12:55 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1027042920">Stephen Smith</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Good. Full repeal now.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=677676473"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/677676473/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 1:25 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=677676473">Todd Elkins</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Ha Ha</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=677676473"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/677676473/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 1:25 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=677676473">Todd Elkins</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Working very well in states that expander private options</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689741672"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/689741672/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 2:58 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=689741672">Miriam Gaenicke</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">Dumbasses</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1430615882"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1430615882/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 5:33 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1430615882">SJ Adams</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">It needs upsetting.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> <li> <div class="comment_author_image"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1750095841"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248im_/http://graph.facebook.com/1750095841/picture?type=square"/> </a> </div> <div class="comment_body"> <div class="comment_time"> February 10 @ 7:17 p.m. </div> <p class="byline"> <span class="author"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1750095841">Cody N Ailene</a> </span> via <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837">Texas Tribune on Facebook</a> </p> <p class="comment">If the decision goes against the ACA I don't see how rising premiums could possibly be blamed on the Republicans. I also don't see why the only solution is to preemptively start an exchange in Texas. It's obvious that the disruption in the market is from the ACA, and has nothing to do with Republicans or with Texas not setting up an exchange. If this happens then the obvious solution would be to repeal the ACA. <br/><br/>This is why the government shouldn't get involved in the market, not that the insurance and healthcare industry was a paragon of the Laissez-faire market.</p> <ul class="actions clearfix"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/https://www.facebook.com/texastribune/posts/10153005557965837"><span>+</span> Reply</a></li> </ul> </div> <div style="clear: both;"></div> </li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class=" rail cell w-4 hide-for-medium-down"> <section class="trib_newsletter"> <form action="https://web.archive.org/web/20150323111248/http://texastribune.us3.list-manage2.com/subscribe/post?u=3d0ce87edeeb6df90043897db&id=68501b81bf" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank" novalidate> <header> <h2>Sign Up for The Brief</h2> </header> <p>Our daily news summary</p> <div class="mc-field-group nowrap"> <input type="email" 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