Dakota News Now Story on Recent Medicaid Expansion Petition Event in Sioux Falls, SD
Outlet: Dakota News Now
Reporter: Kevin Gonzales
Date: 06-MAR-21
Note: Dakotans For Health has been gathering signatures since November 2020
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Dakota News Now) -
The group Dakotans4health (Dakotans For Health) held their first petition signing for an amendment to Medicaid in South Dakota to be placed on the 2022 ballot.
“Dakotans for Health was organized to bring light to these kinds of issues not only Medicaid expansion and that we really need to bring people into the fold, but to educate people on these issues as well,” said Pam Cole, a Grass Roots Organizer for Dakotans for Health.
According to the Department of Social Services, individuals who are covered by South Dakota Medicaid are children, low income pregnant women or parents, seniors in nursing homes and people with physical of developmental issues.
The proposed expansion would provide Medicaid for anyone over the age of 18 and under 65 whose income is below 133% of the federal poverty level.
“Right now, there are currently 42,000 people in South Dakota who cannot get health insurance and that’s for a variety of reasons, the biggest one is they simply can’t afford, their working poor they can’t afford the cost of the premium,” said Cole.
Those for expansion believe this can also help those in the native communities.
“Indian Health services partially funded by the federal government, so that would also assist our native people in South Dakota to achieve that higher level of coverage,” said Cole.
Those against expansion, see it has too much of a financial burden to the state, but those for believe it is needed to help those in need.
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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.
Message from Montana Governor Steve Bullock to South Dakotans circulating Medicaid expansion petitions
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! The best way to do it is by scanning the code above or text "Medicaid" to (772) 577-2336. You can also find everything you need HERE.
One neighbor. Helping another. That's something Tom Daschle understands.
You can view Senator Daschle's full "Healthcare and the Heartland" episode HERE
HHS Deputy Secretary Mary Wakefield opening remarks on Medicaid expansion in South Dakota
Congressman Earl Pomeroy remarks on the importance of Medicaid expansion for South Dakotans
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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