AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Obama administration is open to talks with Texas about expanded health care for the poor, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday, though the state's top Republicans adamantly refuse to cooperate.

Following a meeting with Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and other Central Texas officials, Sebelius said her office is open to crafting a uniquely Texan plan to make sure everyone has health insurance. She was in Austin and San Antonio to talk about how local communities can take advantage of the Affordable Care Act.

Texas has the nation's highest rate of people without health insurance — about 6.1 million people — most of them the working poor and single adults. Texas has the option of expanding Medicaid to include those who cannot afford health insurance, but Gov. Rick Perry has rejected all portions of act and wants Washington to hand over the money with no strings attached do Texas can operate its own program.