SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Democratic leaders in the legislature today pitched Medicaid expansion believing that the money can be found to pay for it.
House Minority Leader Spence Hawley (D-Brookings) says 75% of the uninsured work but can’t afford health insurance.
Hawley would like to see the expansion include residents at 138% of the federal poverty level. He says that would include individuals making $16,243 and a family of four on an income of $33,000.
Democrats urged low income earners, county officials and community health advocates to study the proposed expansion and make themselves heard on health care reform.
Senate Minority Leader Billie Sutton (D-Burke) said Democrats would like to raise poverty limits, especially for pregnant women and poor children. Both Hawley and Sutton were on Governor Daugaard's Medicaid Expansion Task Force.
Democratic leaders say the expansion would infuse nearly $400 million into the state's economy by creating jobs and improving the viability of community health providers.
Hawley anticipates a federal decision on Governor Daugaard’s plan in two weeks. The plan is for the federal government to fully fund Indian Health Services, as it was designed to do, and the state could use those funds for Medicaid expansion.