Medicaid Monitor
Policy Intelligence
Medicaid Monitor
Policy Intelligence
Updated Fri 12:06 PM MT
© 2026 Lanphier Ventures, LLC
Informational use only. Not legal or compliance advice.
Source
← All Sources

South Dakota Searchlight

6 stories

State Policy·SD·2d ago

South Dakota House Candidates Clash Over Tariffs, Medicaid Work Requirements

At an Oct. 1 debate co-hosted by South Dakota Public Broadcasting and South Dakota News Watch, Republican Marty Jackley and Democrat Nikki Gronli, candidates for South Dakota's U.S. House seat, sparred over tariffs, energy costs and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's healthcare provisions. Jackley criticized Trump's push to import Argentine beef but otherwise backed Trump's tariff approach, while Gronli said tariffs and the Iran conflict have driven up costs for farmers and families. On Medicaid, Jackley defended the law's new work requirements as a fraud-prevention measure and praised sending rural health transformation dollars (South Dakota has received $189 million so far) to states to decide how to spend. Gronli argued the law's cuts to Medicaid and other programs would harm residents who depend on them. The general election is Nov. 3.

State Policy·SD·4d ago

South Dakota Ballot Measure Opponents Warn of Medicaid Expansion Repeal Risks

Opponents of South Dakota's Amendment I, on the Nov. 3 ballot, said Monday the measure would reduce health care access and shift costs to privately insured residents. Amendment I would automatically repeal Medicaid expansion if federal funding for the expansion population is reduced below current levels. South Dakota's Republican attorney general and other opponents oppose the measure, arguing it threatens coverage gained through expansion. The vote takes place November 3, and its outcome will determine whether the state's expansion population retains coverage if federal funding changes.

State Policy·SD·11d ago

South Dakota Task Force Advances Regional Ambulance Hub Plan, Citing Need for State Funding

A South Dakota legislative task force concluded Monday that regionalizing ambulance services will require multi-year state funding and a permanent advisory board to sustain rural EMS coverage. The state received $719,000 in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding through 2029 to plan regional hub models, but lawmakers acknowledged additional state revenue sources will be needed beyond federal support and regionalization savings. The task force created subcommittees to develop regionalization structures and revenue models for the 2027 legislative session. Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates insufficient to cover EMS costs remain a core sustainability challenge, particularly for volunteer-dependent rural services.

State Policy·SD·15d ago

South Dakota AG Says Ballot Measure Would Auto-Repeal Medicaid Expansion

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has stated that a constitutional amendment on the November 3 ballot would automatically end Medicaid expansion if federal funding falls below 90%, contradicting Republican lawmakers who placed the measure and claim it would only grant them authority to consider ending expansion. The legal interpretation dispute centers on whether the amendment is self-executing or requires legislative action. The disagreement creates uncertainty for approximately 50,000 South Dakotans who gained coverage under the state's voter-approved expansion.

State Policy·SD·33d ago

South Dakota Food Assessment Recommends Medicaid-Funded Produce Prescriptions to Address Food Insecurity

A new statewide food landscape assessment in South Dakota found 30% of residents at risk of food insecurity skip meals to stay within budget. The report recommends introducing produce prescription programs — which allow healthcare providers to prescribe fruits and vegetables redeemable at stores or markets — potentially funded through a Medicaid waiver, similar to approaches used in other states. The South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative plans to discuss the recommendation with state lawmakers during the 2027 legislative session. The assessment was produced by the state Department of Health, Avera Research Institute, University of South Dakota, and the collaborative, which includes state agencies responsible for Medicaid and social services.

Legal·SD·54d ago

Federal Judge Upholds South Dakota Drug Discount Law for Rural Providers

A federal judge dismissed legal challenges to South Dakota legislation allowing rural healthcare providers to purchase discounted drugs and mark up sale prices to offset low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. AbbVie, manufacturer of Humira, sued the state in April 2025 challenging the law. The ruling takes effect immediately with the dismissal of the pharmaceutical manufacturer's lawsuit. The decision matters for rural providers in South Dakota who rely on drug discount programs to sustain operations amid inadequate Medicaid payment rates.

Get the daily briefing.