South Dakota
How Medicaid expansion keeps winning
Six instances since 2017, voters in a state have weighed in instantly on whether or not to increase Medicaid and make extra low-income adults eligible without spending a dime public well being protection. Six instances, the poll measure has handed.
That undefeated streak may lengthen to seven wins in South Dakota this November.
On Election Day, voters will resolve on a constitutional modification that will lengthen Medicaid eligibility underneath the Inexpensive Care Act. If it passes, anyone making lower than 133 p.c of the federal poverty stage (about $18,000 for a person or $36,900 for a household of 4) would qualify for Medicaid protection. Proper now, 5 p.c of the state is uninsured. Childless adults of working age can’t qualify for protection in any respect. Pregnant girls, kids, and the aged can presently obtain Medicaid advantages, however working dad and mom will need to have a really low revenue — lower than 63 p.c of the federal poverty stage, about $17,500 for a household of 4 — to enroll.
An estimated 45,000 South Dakotans can be coated by the enlargement, including to twenty.4 million low-income Individuals nationwide already insured by the Medicaid enlargement for the reason that program took full impact in 2014. Lots of those that would qualify for Medicaid in South Dakota — about 14,000 — are Native Individuals presently ineligible for protection. The poll initiative seems to have a very good shot at passing in November: Polling commissioned by the American Most cancers Society Most cancers Motion Community discovered 62 p.c of South Dakota voters mentioned they help the measure.
Initially, the Inexpensive Care Act was meant to increase Medicaid protection to low-income adults nationwide. The legislation provided a very good deal: increase eligibility and obtain a beneficiant federal funding match, 90 p.c of the price in perpetuity. However a 2012 Supreme Courtroom resolution made Medicaid enlargement non-obligatory for states, and a dozen states nonetheless haven’t accepted the enlargement a full decade later, leaving 4 million folks with out Medicaid protection who would in any other case be eligible.
Within the face of that obstruction from Republican state officers, well being care advocates have taken the difficulty on to voters in largely Republican states, with exceptional success.
Throughout the six states which have expanded Medicaid via a poll measure — Idaho, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Utah — an estimated 811,000 folks have both enrolled or change into eligible for Medicaid protection. It’s a brand new frontier for increasing entry to medical health insurance in America. I requested Paul Starr, a Princeton College sociologist and the preeminent historian of the American well being system, whether or not there was any precedent for direct democracy resulting in important protection expansions.
“The historical past of medical health insurance safety till the Supreme Courtroom’s resolution on the ACA in 2012 was virtually totally a historical past of laws and administrative choices,” he instructed me. “Poll measures weren’t very important.”
However poll initiatives have change into, in the previous couple of years, virtually completely the trail for Medicaid enlargement to maintain advancing. Within the first few years after the Supreme Courtroom’s resolution, a lot of Republican state leaders determined to undertake Medicaid enlargement on their very own, pushed by the monetary advantages and lobbying from native well being care teams. The Obama administration accepted waivers — together with one from future Vice President Mike Pence, then governor of Indiana — to tweak this system to make it extra amenable to those GOP politicians.
However by 2017, with Donald Trump coming into the White Home, the prospects for future motion by Republican governors and legislatures regarded grim. So the Equity Challenge, an offshoot of an SEIU well being care employees union in California that was supporting minimal wage poll initiatives on the time, began coordinating with native organizers to place Medicaid enlargement instantly on the poll.
“Direct democracy has been a path for essential change and likewise a path of final resort,” Kelly Corridor, a former Obama administration well being official who’s now the manager director of the Equity Challenge, mentioned. “Increasing Medicaid anyplace helps defend it in all places.”
The previous few years have been a revelation of Medicaid’s political efficiency. Considerations about ending the enlargement and slicing Medicaid spending helped doom the Republican plans to repeal and substitute the ACA. And these six enlargement poll initiatives have all handed since 2017, with South Dakota poised to change into the seventh.
Corridor mentioned the marketing campaign’s objective has been “serving to to put Medicaid alongside the opposite third rail public packages like Medicare and Social Safety.”
“Medicaid has a a lot wider base of help than many individuals admire,” Starr instructed me. “It’s not simply the poor who profit. It’s additionally folks with disabilities and seniors, plus their households and the suppliers that profit from Medicaid fee.”
GOP leaders have nonetheless tried — unsuccessfully up to now — to cease or subvert these poll initiatives, first in Utah and Missouri, and now in South Dakota. For the first election in June, the state legislature put up a poll measure that will have required a 60-percent supermajority for any future poll initiatives to be adopted, with the intent of constructing it tougher for the Medicaid enlargement measure to go. However it was rejected by two-thirds of South Dakota main voters.
Why does Medicaid enlargement maintain discovering success with red-state voters, if not their elected representatives? Corridor pointed to 3 profitable messages: listening to from neighbors who will profit, bringing federal tax {dollars} again to the state, and defending the solvency of rural hospitals and well being clinics. One of many adverts operating in South Dakota contains a farmer who says he desires to maintain his household farm operating however can’t afford well being care proper now.
Thus far, Medicaid enlargement poll initiatives have been an unqualified success. However their usefulness would possibly quickly be operating out. Solely about half of states permit citizen-initiated poll measures and, of the 12 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid, solely 4 of them allow such initiatives: South Dakota — which is already voting on it this fall — plus Florida, Mississippi, and Wyoming.
Florida is the second greatest state, after Texas, that’s nonetheless refusing Medicaid enlargement. These two states are house to greater than half of the two.2 million folks nationwide who’ve been left and not using a viable possibility for protection as a result of their state has not expanded Medicaid. However whereas poll initiatives are permitted there, they require a 60-percent supermajority and the state legislature has proven a willingness to undermine poll measures after their passage.
Your complete Mississippi poll initiative course of, in the meantime, was upended by a state courtroom resolution in 2021; advocates are working to revive the rights of residents to gather signatures and put points on to voters. In Wyoming, there may be some hope that the legislature and governor might but get on board with Medicaid enlargement because the state faces funds woes.
So whereas poll measures may nonetheless make extra good points in increasing Medicaid protection, enlargement advocates are operating out of alternatives. Texas, for instance, is among the states that doesn’t permit citizen-sponsored poll initiatives. Neither do Georgia or North Carolina, the subsequent greatest states after Florida to not increase it.
“We’re fairly near working ourselves out of a job on this subject,” Corridor mentioned.
However the work will nonetheless be unfinished, till Republicans in these different states come round, Democrats can win in statewide elections, or Congress decides to take motion to shut the Medicaid enlargement hole for good.
South Dakota
Kadoka, Jones County, Highmore, Chamberlain, Gettysburg FFA chapters among Career Development Events award winners at South Dakota State FFA Convention
FFA members are preparing for agriculture careers, learning the role agriculture plays in feeding and clothing the world, and looking for opportunities to grow the industry. FFA’s Career Development Events are built around ag industry careers, expose members to many of the opportunities and needs in the agriculture sector, and enable them to develop and refine their abilities to critically evaluate, effectively communicate and ultimately, succeed in future careers.
One of the hallmarks of agricultural education and the FFA is the opportunity to showcase skills learned in classrooms and spotlighted through 15 Career Development Events at the State FFA Convention (April 18-20, 2024). It is a source of pride and students look forward to the state-level events each year to determine who will represent South Dakota at the national level in the fall. This year 2,100 South Dakota FFA members competed.
Range Plant ID: Sponsored by the SDSU Range Science Club. 1st Place Team: Kadoka – Advisors Kaycee Jones and Kade Bonenberger. Team members: Shaylee Porch, Breezy Amiotte, Kole Hermann and Makaylan Bonenberger.
Courtesy photo.
Top Individuals:
- Adrik Schoon, Jones County
- Kole Hermann, Kadoka
- Makaylan Bonenberger, Kadoka
Courtesy photo.
Livestock Evaluation: Awards are sponsored by SD Pork Producers Council. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Dakotaland Feeds, Travis Hoffman, Kimball Livestock Exchange LLC and Beef Logic. 1st Place Team: Highmore – Advisor Todd Waring. Team members: Payton Beare, Kenidey Effling, April Fallis and Jady LeDoux.
2nd: Parker
3rd: Willow Lake
Courtesy photo.
Top Individuals:
- Chance Blume, Chamberlain
- Payton Beare, Highmore
- Charlie Cody, Tri-Valley
Courtesy photo.
Nursery Landscape: Awards are sponsored by Midwest STIHL. The travel scholarship is sponsored by SODAK Gardens, Northern Plains Landscaping, J Ellen Design and Market and the Wendy Mortenson Agency. 1st Place Team: Gettysburg – Advisor Sarah McClure. Team members: Tanner Eide, Bobbi Eide, Trace Genzler and Jerand Chase.
2nd: Montrose
3rd: Parkston
Courtesy photo.
Top Individuals:
- Tanner Eide, Gettysburg
- Addison Gordon, Montrose
- Makarie Wieversick, Montrose
Courtesy photo.
Agricultural Business Management: Awards sponsored by Rufus and Patty DeZeeuw and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Rufus & Patty DeZeeuw, FarmHouse Fraternity-SDSU, Leisinger Farm, Kyle & Jody Peterson, and United Animal Health. 1st place team: Brookings; Advisors Josh Johnson & Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Kennedy Nemitz, Clayton Nelson, Gabriel Stern and Leil Murray.
2nd: Willow Lake
3rd: Highmore
Top Individuals:
- Harlee Nielson, Hitchcock Tulare
- Clayton Nelson, Brookings
- Kaylyn Hofer, Willow Lake
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems: Awards and drills for each of the top 10 individuals sponsored by the CHS Foundation and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by CHS Foundation, Grossenburg Implement, and the Kettelhut Family The top place team also received a new welder from the Lincoln Electric Company. 1st place team: Howard; Advisor Charlene Weber. Team members: Mason Jacobson, Thomas Connor, Zachary Connor and Gabe Miller.
2nd: Miller
3rd: Bookings
Top Individuals:
- Andrew Even, Parker
- Samson Storrhaug, Brookings
- Zachary Connor, Howard
Agronomy: Awards are sponsored by Simplot and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Croplan by WinField United; De & Mike Johnson in Memory of Walt Johnson; Hoegemeyer Hybrids; Simplot; Steven Zemlicka in Honor of Stan and Carol Gage. 1st place team: Harrisburg – Advisors Tara Fastert and Josh Christensen. Team members: Christopher Moore, Owen Murphy, Isabella Smithback and Kendrick Droppers.
2nd: McCook Central
3rd: Hot Springs
Top Individuals:
- Isabella Smithback, Harrisburg
- Kendrick Droppers, Harrisburg
- Owen Murphy, Harrisburg
Dairy Cattle Evaluation: Awards sponsored by SD Division of the Midwest Dairy Association and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by the Richard Lauck Family, Ash Grove Dairy, Sharp’s Inc. and Victory Farms. 1st Place Team: Bridgewater Emery – Advisor Alex Toupal. Team members: Landon Berg, Quinton Berg, Alaina Golder and Cash Martinez.
2nd: Beresford
3rd: McCook Central
Top Individuals:
- Quinton Berg, Bridgewater Emery
- Landon Berg, Bridgewater Emery
- Allie Westra, Beresford
Floriculture: Awards and travel scholarships are sponsored by Dr. David Graper, Wendy Mortenson Agency, and Gettysburg FFA. 1st Place Team: Wessington Springs, Advisor Brady Duxbury. Team members: Anna Arhart, Carissa Scheel, Alyssa Grohs and Mercedes Jones.
2nd: Scotland
3rd: Belle Fourche
Top Individuals:
- Anna Arhart, Wessington Springs
- Desiree Yosten, Menno
- Emily Walz, Parkston
Food Science and Technology: Awards sponsored by Valley Queen Cheese and the team travel scholarships are sponsored by Dan and Sheri Kahnke, Agropur Inc-Cheese and Whey Products. 1st Place Team: Milbank – Advisor Sara Colombe. Team members: Raul Berrones, Summer DeBoer, Samuel Shelstad and Grace Weston.
2nd: Harrisburg
3rd: Parker
Top Individuals:
- Raule Berrones, Millbank
- Grace Weston, Millbank
- Parker Lessman, Parker
Horse Evaluation: Awards are sponsored by K Bar J Leather of Newell. The travel scholarships are sponsored by K Bar J Leather, Rodney Yost Horsemanship, and Wendy Mortenson Agency. 1st Place Team: Rapid City Stevens – Advisor Genetie Hendrix. Team members: Kaiva Coleman, Ethan Hendrix, Elliot Hendrix and Patty Trask.
2nd: Milbank
3rd: Bon Homme
Top Individuals:
- Elliot Hendrix, Rapid City Stevens
- Erin Osmotherly, Hot Springs
- Kaiva Coleman, Rapid City Stevens
Meats Evaluation: Awards are sponsored by Smithfield Foods and travel scholarships sponsored by Smithfield Foods, Tri Valley Alumni and The Meathouse. 1st Place Team: Elkton – Advisor Anthony Zubke. Team members: Tait Boersma, Brienna Boersma, Blake Devries and Brooklyn Boersma.
2nd: Brookings
3rd: Tri-Valley
Top Individuals:
- Brooklyn Boersma, Elkton
- Brienna Boersma, Elkton
- Kendall McArveavey, Tri-Valley
Milk Quality & Products: Awards are sponsored by Agropur Inc – Cheese and Whey Products. The travel scholarship is sponsored by The Justin Maass Family, Agropur Inc, and Heidi and Mark Zwinger. First Place Team: Millbank – Advisor Sara Colombe. Team members: Veronica Fonder, Morgean French, Joseph French and Jacob Erickson.
2nd: Willow Lake
3rd: McCook Central
Top Individuals:
- Owen Alley, McCook Central
- Veronica Fodner, Millbank
- Cooper Pommer, Willow Lake
Natural Resources: Awards are sponsored by SD Grassland Coalition. The travel scholarship is sponsored by Jeff VandnerWilt, John Lentz and the SD Grassland Coalition. 1st Place Team: Brookings – Advisors Josh Johnson and Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Shane Harming, Blake Herrig, Andrew Dammen and Joseph Fitzpatrick.
2nd: Clark
3rd: Kadoka
Top Individuals:
- Lilija Coleman, Rapid City Stevens
- Dawson Dorr, Montrose
- Joseph Fitzpatrick, Brookings
Poultry: Awards are sponsored by South Dakota Poultry Industries Association. The travel scholarship is sponsored by South Dakota Poultry Industries Association, Salem Veterinary Service and Dakota Layers LLP. 1st Place Team: Redfield – Advisor Brad Cihak. Team members: Evan Jaton, Benson Beckler, Kevin Weller and Elden Blume.
2nd: Lennox Sundstrom
3rd: Sunshine Bible Academy
Top Individuals:
- Karin Sweeter, Lennox Sundstrom
- Elden Blume, Redfield
- Daraby Boersma, Sunshine Bible Academy
Vet Science: Awards are sponsored by Susan A. Stoterau DVM and Alice Harty DVM. Travel scholarships are sponsored by SD Veterinary Medical Association, Salem Veterinary Service, Susan A. Stoterau DVM and Alice Harty DVM. 1st Place Team: Brookings – Advisors Josh Johnson and Michelle Dykstra. Team members: Josie Nold, Desiraie Johnson, Jordyn Tibbs and Cassie Fenske.
2nd: Mitchell
3rd: Harrisburg
Top Individuals:
- Josie Nold, Brookings
- Raigan Flatten, Clark
- Hope Baysinger, Mitchell
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – If you’re in downtown Sioux Falls Wednesday night, you’ll notice the Arc of Dreams lit in purple. It’s to signify National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
Victim advocates want this week to serve as a reminder that help is available.
Advocates can help victims navigate the court system, while therapists can help with the healing process.
In honor of the week, the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe is hosting an open house to connect residents with local organizations.
The event continues Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Dakota Magic Casino, which is located at the Sisseton exit of Interstate 29.
“(We’re) talking about victims of crime, domestic assault and sexual violence awareness — personal stories of surviving, self-care activities. We want a positive educational awareness on sexual violence and domestic assault,” said Melanie Stoneman, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate domestic violence program coordinator.
To connect with victim resources across the state, contact the Helpline Center by calling 211.
Copyright 2024 KSFY. All rights reserved.
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