State Lawmakers to Debate Medicaid Expansion, Virtual Estate Planning

Wednesday was the deadline for South Dakota lawmakers to introduce new legislation. This session alone, legislators will consider over 550 bills, resolutions, and other policies!

That’s far too many for any one individual to learn about on their own. That’s why AARP South Dakota is in your corner, fighting for and helping you learn about the proposed laws that impact people over 50 in our state.

Senate Bill 107 – Virtual Estate Planning, Wills, & Powers of Attorney

This week in Pierre, we supported Senate Bill 107 as it passed through the Senate and the bill is making its way to the House of Representatives for consideration. This bill would give family caregivers and other kinds of legal guardians the flexibility to manage documents for estate planning, wills, and health care powers of attorney electronically.

More and more older adults are realizing the value of planning for sudden illness and death. The obvious bears repeating: older adults are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, and many have witnessed the virus’ devastating effects on family members and neighbors over the last two years.

We know that minimizing face-to-face interactions is one of the most effective ways to avoid infection and stay healthy. It’s more important than ever to provide safe and comfortable ways to execute planning documents.

Currently, South Dakota has no provisions for remote witnessing. We believe that Senate Bill 107 is an important step in the right direction.

Senate Bill 186 – Medicaid Expansion

Also this week, Senate Bill 186 was introduced and will have AARP South Dakota’s support behind it. This bill would expand Medicaid to include working South Dakotans who make less than $18,000 per year.

Over 42,000 hard-working South Dakotans, including parents, farmers, and small business employees who are currently struggling to get access to affordable health care would gain coverage if Medicaid expansion passes – either in the state legislature or by voters deciding on their November ballots.

The pandemic highlighted the fact that many adults are one catastrophe away from losing their jobs—and with it their access to affordable health insurance. Above all, we believe expanding Medicaid is the right thing to do to help struggling South Dakotans.

South Dakota is one of only twelve states that has not implemented Medicaid expansion, and we are missing out. South Dakota would get $9 back in federal funding for every $1 spent by the state.

These are tax dollars South Dakotans have already paid but are currently being used to finance healthcare in states like California, New York and North Dakota, who have already expanded their Medicaid programs. It's time to bring that money back home to boost South Dakota’s economy, create jobs, and keep rural hospitals open.

We need your help to make sure this bill becomes law. Tell lawmakers: Vote YES on SB 186 to expand Medicaid!