One of the arguments in the legislature around the proposal to expand Medicaid coverage in South Dakota is the negative effect it would have, especially on smaller health care facilities.

Hospital groups have said failing to expand could cause some rural facilities to close.

Governor Dennis Daugaard says the numbers don’t show that…

 

Daugaard says if hospitals are dependent on reimbursements, they would be better off with more people on private insurance…

 

Daugaard says he thinks there has been an over reaction…

 

Daugaard does not support the expansion, and his proposed budget does not include that.

Expanded Medicaid would cover about forty eight thousand people.