Brandon, South Dakota
The leadership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 426, while attending its annual officers meeting, unanimously endorsed Dakotans for Health’s campaign to expand Medicaid in South Dakota.
The IBEW represents thousands of active and retired electrical workers across South Dakota and Minnesota.
“The folks involved in Dakotans for Health have been longtime friends of working families and the IBEW,” said Local 426 Business Manager, Kory Rawstern. “ We know Dakotans for Health can be trusted to stand up for union members, and we believe it’s in the best interest of IBEW members to support their constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.”
Dakotans for Health has been circulating an initiated constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid since last November that would provide Medicaid health insurance to South Dakotans who make less than $17,000 a year.
“Dakotans for Health is honored to have the endorsement of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 426 and the thousands of South Dakota voters they represent,” said Pam Cole, a former legislator, Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, and current Grassroots Organizing Director for Dakotans for Health.
The non-partisan South Dakota Legislative Research Council has estimated that 42,500 people would be eligible, and that the Federal government would provide over 90% of the cost, estimated to be close to $300 million dollars each and every year, a 15-1 return on investment.
“It is humbling to have the support of IBEW members. We share their commitment to South Dakota's working families. Guys like Kory and the team at the Local 426 have been making a critical difference in this state for many years. Medicaid expansion will be no different.” said Adam Weiland, co-founder of Dakotans for Health.
South Dakota is one of 12 states that has refused to participate in this federal program made available by the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010.
###
About Dakotans for Health
Dakotans for Health, an emerging group of public officials, caregivers, health care advocates, and concerned citizens supporting the expansion of Medicaid. We have released COMPREHENSIVE MATERIALS for our volunteers to start circulating a petition for a Constitutional Amendment to expand Medicaid. Get yours today!
IMPACT ALERT!
Help Secure Ballot Access for Medicaid Expansion
Make a donation to help expand Medicaid in South Dakota. You can donate online via ActBlue HERE. You can Make a donation via check our money order HERE.
Obama Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand on the importance of Grassroots Organizing and Dakotans for Health's campaign to expand Medicaid:
You can watch the full episode with Steve HERE
Message from Montana Governor Steve Bullock to Dakotans for Health petition circulators:
You can watch the full episode with Governor Bullock HERE
One neighbor. Helping another. That's something Tom Daschle understands.
You can watch the full episode with Senator Daschle HERE
Get involved. Volunteer, start circulating a petition, and donate! Text "Medicaid" to (772) 577-2336
Circulate a Medicaid Expansion Petition (How to)
Want to circulate a petition? We have been on the streets since November of last year! You can find everything you need HERE.
HHS Deputy Secretary Mary Wakefield supports Dakotans for Health and you can too!
You can watch the full episode with Secretary Wakefield HERE
Earl Pomeroy knows a thing or two because he's seen a thing or two.
You can watch the full episode with Congressman Pomeroy HERE
KELO: League of Women Voters Medicaid Expansion Petition Signing Event With Dakotans For Health
You can view the full KELO story HERE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES and BACKGROUND:
South Dakota is one of twelve states who has yet to expand Medicaid under the ACA
North Dakota expanded Medicaid in 2015. The program has brought hundreds of millions of additional dollars into the state:
Montana expanded Medicaid in 2015 as well. The program brings an additional $600 Million a year to the state:
Visual Learner Summary: according to the fiscal note released by the South Dakota Legislative Research Council last July, South Dakota, upon the expansion of Medicaid, will $15 back for every $1 it puts in. A 15:1 Return On Investment.
###