Governor Won't Pursue Medicaid Expansion This Session

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Governor Dennis Daugaard says he won't pursue an expansion of Medicaid in South Dakota during the current legislative session.

The governor made the announcement yesterday after getting input from federal officials about policy revisions necessary to satisfy his conditions. Daugaard says there are not enough days left in the legislative session for lawmakers to consider his plan and adequately make their decisions.

Daugaard has proposed expanding eligibility to roughly another 50,000 South Dakota residents, as long as the state's share of the cost is covered by other savings. His stance marks a departure from many other Republican governors who have resisted expanding Medicaid as part of the federal health care overhaul.

Daugaard says the state will continue to explore expanding Medicaid in the future.

Source: Governor Won’t Pursue Medicaid Expansion This Session