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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Proposed Medicaid Expansion for SD Enters Next Phase

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Monday, November 8, 2021   

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Secretary of State today is expected to receive signatures from a campaign pushing for Medicaid expansion. The coalition turning in the petitions feels it has enough backing so that voters can weigh in at the ballot box.

South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, which includes a range of statewide groups, says it's gathered the required signatures to place Medicaid expansion on the 2022 ballot.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is part of the coalition, and its government relations director, David Benson, said the state can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines.

"Right now, our tax dollars are going to states that have expanded," said Benson. "And so, we want to bring those tax dollars back into South Dakota to invest back into our communities."

Supporters say with the federal government covering most of the costs, another 40,000 South Dakotans would get coverage.

It's now up to the state to determine if enough signatures are valid. Altogether, more than 47,000 residents signed on.

Generally, some conservatives cite budget concerns in expanding Medicaid since it was offered through the Affordable Care Act.

Most states have opted to take advantage of federal incentives for expansion. And a recent AARP South Dakota survey says 65% of respondents would back such a move.

Benson said it's consistent with past polling, noting they've heard from many people who need the help.

"Individuals that would be impacted by improved access to healthcare coverage in their lives, their family's lives," said Benson, "to allow them to seek employment, to continue employment, to be a healthier workforce."

AARP says results from its survey of 1,000 registered voters age 50 and older will be released later this year.

The campaign is one of two Medicaid-expansion initiatives in South Dakota. If it gets onto the ballot, Republican lawmakers have pushed for a 60% vote threshold for certain ballot measures.

As for expansion costs, the Legislative Research Council says South Dakota would have to chip in $20 million.




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