Daugaard May Propose Medicaid Expansion in Budget Address

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard may propose a Medicaid expansion during his December budget address that would make an estimated 55,000 state residents eligible for the public health program.

A coalition exploring the viability of expanding Medicaid is set to review new cost and eligibility projections Wednesday.

Daugaard says an expansion would have to be budget neutral for the state, improve health care for Native Americans and secure legislative approval to move forward.

Kim Malsam-Rysdon is a senior adviser to Daugaard. She says the updated numbers project nearly 55,000 people could be eligible for the program if it's expanded.

Malsam-Rysdon says the state's share would be offset by savings to make up for the expected annual cost of between roughly $33 million and about $45 million starting in 2020.

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