Director’s Notes

YVONNE TAYLOR | SDML EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Since the SDML Board decided to support Medicaid Expansion, I’ve gotten a few questions about “why” from outside of our group. Why does a group that represents cities and towns care about Medicaid Expansion?

First, as South Dakotans, we care about our neighbors. As city offi cials, you care more than most – you’ve given up big chunks of your private life just to help everyone in your community. Cities are on the front line when working with the most vulnerable of our citizens. That includes picking up the pieces when people do not have adequate health coverage – and remember, of the people who would benefi t from expansion, 60% are working people – they simply do not make enough to afford health care.

These folks risk more severe and lifethreatening illnesses because they don’t have access to the kind of care that can help prevent that – leading to more people not able to work. And who pays for that more severe illness for the uninsured? We all do.

Medicaid Expansion isn’t a handout, and it isn’t a new obligation for the State – it is a way to transition from no health coverage for thousands of South Dakotans (where we all pay for the consequences) to an established system of health coverage for people who just do not make enough to afford coverage.

It is not a new program – it is letting more people access the coverage, and having the federal government pay 90% of those costs.

And it simply makes fi nancial sense. Because of the split between what the State pays, vs. what the Feds pay, South Dakota would save more than $128 million in the fi rst two years, and more than $11 million per year after that. And that doesn’t count the benefi ts of a healthier workforce.

Medicaid expansion for South Dakota is the defi nition of a “no-brainer.” Better care, for more people, at a savings to the state.

We urge everyone to VOTE YES on AMENDMENT D. ■