More states implementing healthcare law

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WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee and Washington made efforts to implement healthcare reform, the secretary of Health and Human Services said.

Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the states would receive more than $181 million in grants to help implement the Affordable Care Act and establish Affordable Insurance Exchanges.

"Starting in 2014, Affordable Insurance Exchanges will help consumers and small businesses in every state to choose a private health insurance plan. These comprehensive health plans will ensure consumers have the same kinds of insurance choices as members of Congress," Sebelius said in a statement. "Including today's awards, 34 states and the District of Columbia have received grants to fund their progress toward building exchanges."

States can apply for exchange grants through the end of 2014 and these funds are available for states to use beyond 2014 as they further establish exchange functionality, Sebelius said.

In 2010, 49 states and the District of Columbia received exchange planning grants totaling more than $54 million; in 2011, seven states received more than $249 million in early innovator grants; and to date, 34 states and the District of Columbia have received more than $856 million in establishment grants, Sebelius said.