Governor Rick Perry, along with 17 other states, declined to participate in the high risk pool. There were concerns the program is not adequately funded. Perry stated in his April 30th letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius: “After careful analysis of the new law, consultation with state health and insurance officials and communications with state lawmakers and HHS, the State of Texas cannot today commit to operating the new high-risk pool due to the lack of program rules or reliable federal funding.” “I do not believe the aggressive implementation and the lack of assurances on financial solvency of the program are in the best interest of Texas taxpayers, families, patients or health care providers,” said Perry.
“The states' decisions increase the challenge the government faces as it sets out to translate the far-reaching health-care legislation into action,” reports the May 4th Washington Post.
