Downtown, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), which represents thousands of professionals who work in health care, grocery stores, retail stores, and other industries, announced their endorsement for Dakotans for Health’s constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid.
“At a time when UFCW members in healthcare, food retail, packing, and processing are on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak, Dakotans for Health can be relied on to stand by South Dakota’s working families and UFCW members. We are proud to support them and their efforts to expand Medicaid via constitutional amendment,” said UFCW Local President BJ Motley.”
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 United Food and Commercial Workers and the thousands of working families they represent. In good times, UFCW workers are critical to keeping our families well-fed and well-supplied. And, in times of crisis like we saw last year, their dedication literally fueled the effort to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Adam Weiland, co-founder of 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. 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.
Local UFCW members will be carrying petitions with Dakotans for Health to qualify their certified constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid.
Dakotans for Health has earned the support from scores of South Dakota unions and tribal leaders, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Eastern Building Trades, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and others.
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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.
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