The South Dakota Senate Appropriations Committee today (Friday) debated a bill that would call for expanded Medicaid coverage in the state.
Bill sponsor, Senator Bernie Hunhoff of Yankton says the arguments pro and con are still being made.

Scott Duke, the President and CEO of the South Dakota Association of Health Care Organizations says expansion would lead to better health for more citizens.

Expansion of Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act would cover an additional forty eight thousand people.

Emily Ward, a senior budget analyst with the Bureau of Finance and Management, says they see rapidly rising costs for the state.

The bill was tabled at Hunhoff’s request. He said discussions are continuing about the shape of possible expansion.