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Health centers receive enrollment grants

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The federal government has awarded nearly $700,000 to six Nebraska health centers to help people with health care enrollment.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the grants Wednesday. About $150 million is being awarded nationwide.

The funding coming to Nebraska will allow the centers to hire 13 additional people with an expectation that they will help about 23,000 people enroll into health coverage.

The centers are charged with helping people understand their coverage options under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. Those include getting an insurance plan on the new health exchange or enrolling in Medicaid.

Under the health care law, states must have a health exchange, with enrollment starting Oct. 1 and coverage on Jan. 1.

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