Coalition Created by Daugaard Meeting on Medicaid Expansion

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A coalition established by Gov. Dennis Daugaard is exploring the potential expansion of Medicaid in South Dakota.

The Health Care Solutions Coalition is set to gather for the first time on Wednesday.

Daugaard recently met in Washington with Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to detail a proposal to expand Medicaid, which provides health coverage to low-income and disabled people.

Daugaard's senior adviser Kim Malsam-Rysdon has said the plan would make about 48,500 South Dakota residents newly eligible for the program.

Starting in 2020 it's expected to cost the state between $30 and $33 million, which the measure would offset through state savings.

Federal officials rejected a plan from the state in 2014 to partially expand Medicaid.

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