Texas Gov. Perry Ponders Whether To ‘Opt Out ‘Of Health Plan

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Gov. Rick Perry is bashing Washington-style health care fixes, but he isn’t saying whether Texas should refuse federal incentives for insuring more people if given the chance.

Perry called proposals to let states “opt out” of a government-run health insurance system a “classic Washington bait and switch.” He says Texans would have to pay for the program whether it joined or not.

But Perry said “our options are open” for participating in a government-run health insurance program as part of the proposed federal overhaul.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)