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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — From the South to the heartland, the once-solid wall of Republican resistance to President Barack Obama’s health care law is cracking.

Ahead of a federal deadline Friday for states to declare their intentions, Associated Press reporters interviewed governors and state officials around the country.

AP found surprising openness to the overhaul in some cases, continued opposition in others — and a widespread, urgent desire for answers on key unresolved details.

Republican-led New Mexico and Mississippi are going ahead with new state insurance markets under the law.

Iowa and Ohio are considering partnerships with Washington.

And Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a staunch opponent of what Republicans dismiss as “Obamacare” now says he wants to “get to yes.”

Eventually some 30 million uninsured people are expected to gain coverage through the law.

Since 1846, The Associated Press has been breaking news and covering the world's biggest stories, always committed to the highest standards of accurate, unbiased journalism. The Associated Press was founded as an independent news cooperative, whose members are U.S. newspapers and broadcasters, steadfast in our mission to inform the world.