SDDP Statement on Governor Daugaard Abandoning Efforts to Expand Medicaid
SIOUX FALLS – The South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Suzanne Jones Pranger issued the following statement today regarding Governor Dennis Daugaard’s decision not to pursue Medicaid expansion in the 2017 Legislative Session:
“Democrats are deeply disappointed by Gov. Daugaard’s decision. Expanding Medicaid would have expanded access to healthcare for over 50,000 South Dakotans, provided much needed financial support to health care providers and local governments, and would have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into South Dakota’s economy. Because of the policy update from CMS on the federal reimbursement for Medicaid-eligible Native Americans, our state would have saved the $57 million in state funds needed to pay for expansion. This update would have also helped to improve healthcare for Native American families in South Dakota.
“While many opponents cited budgetary concerns, South Dakota’s plan to expand Medicaid would not have added a single penny to state expenditures. If anything, due to the economic development spurred by expanded healthcare coverage, it was almost certain to be a net positive for our state budget.
“It is unfortunate that due to the obstruction and intransigence of so many members of the Republican majority, those potential benefits to our state appear to be lost. The people of South Dakota deserve better than this, and Democrats will continue to work to move our state forward with smart policies like expanding Medicaid which would not only close the healthcare coverage gap but would also be good for our state’s economy and our communities.”
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