Voters Have Expanded Medicaid in 6 States. Is South Dakota Next?

On November 8 South Dakotans will vote whether to approve Amendment D, requiring the state’s Medicaid program to cover adults aged 18-64 with incomes below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. If they do, about 42,500 low-income South Dakotans — most of whom work in jobs with low pay or with fluctuating hours — could qualify for affordable health coverage starting on July 1, 2023. Expansion would also help reduce health disparities in Native American communities, while bringing in millions of dollars available to the state to offset health care costs.

Laura Harker