Health
Studies show gains against childhood hunger were lost after child tax credit ended
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October confirmed previous research that food insecurity increased substantially after the expiration of federal monthly advanced child tax credits on Jan. 15, 2022. The study looked at the period between January and July of this year in a series of national surveys, and found […]
South Dakota voters approved Medicaid expansion, but implementation my not be easy
RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakotans voted last week to expand the state’s Medicaid program to cover thousands of additional low-income residents, becoming the seventh state to approve expansion via the ballot box. But as other conservative states have shown, voter approval doesn’t always mean politicians and administrators will rush to implement the change. In […]
State prepares to implement Medicaid expansion next summer, expects ‘significant’ hiring
A solid majority of South Dakotans voted to expand eligibility for the state’s Medicaid programs Tuesday. Constitutional Amendment D passed with 56% of the vote, or 191,781 votes, according to unofficial reporting from the Secretary of State’s Office. “It’s long overdue,” said Rick Weiland, committee chair and treasurer for Dakotans for Health, which campaigned in […]
Cheyenne River nonprofit receives federal funding to monitor air quality on reservation
Just over $400,000 in federal funds for air quality monitoring will soon land on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Funds were awarded to the Keya Foundation, an Eagle Butte-based nonprofit that aims to “empower underserved communities in South Dakota through education, social health and cultural renewal,” according to its website. The funding will help the organization […]
‘No one’s going to save us. We have to save ourselves’
Organizers with Dakotans for Health used a Saturday morning rally at Icon Lounge in Sioux Falls to kick off a petition drive aimed at putting a Constitutional right to abortion on the 2024 ballot. The event brought together well over 100 volunteers to train them on how to circulate petitions on behalf of the organization, […]
Federal agencies sue Iowa biofuels producer while providing millions in aid
An Iowa biofuels producer that stands to collect $3.9 million in federal assistance is also being sued by the federal government over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. In June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $70.8 million in grants to help provide financial support for 10 Iowa biofuel producers that sustained unexpected market […]
Grant aims to grow public health pros in rural and tribal lands
OMAHA, Nebraska — A $1.5 million grant to the University of Nebraska Medical Center will provide free tuition to help beef up the presence of public health practitioners in rural and tribal communities in a multi-state region, including South Dakota. The funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration will go to the Public Health […]
Oversight committee clashes over ‘pop-up’ medical marijuana clinics
A medical marijuana card clinic popped up in early October at the Watertown Hampton Inn, where walk-ins were welcome. An advance notice in the local newspaper said “certification takes roughly five minutes,” and the medical cannabis card would be mailed to the patient once approved. That’s how most medical marijuana patients in South Dakota are […]
How claims about a federal abortion ban are roiling one state as the midterms near
WILMOT, New Hampshire — Voters in this swing state are among the relatively few Americans who will decide control of Congress during November’s midterm elections, shaping domestic and foreign policy for the next two years and delivering a verdict on Joe Biden’s presidency. Granite Staters interviewed by States Newsroom, during a mid-October week trailing U.S. […]
Differences on health care emerge in gubernatorial debate
SIOUX FALLS — Differences in health-care policy emerged between two candidates for governor of South Dakota who participated in a televised debate Monday night on South Dakota Public Broadcasting. Democratic candidate Jamie Smith said he supports raising the reimbursement rates paid to medical providers that care for Medicaid patients. “When you lose $50 a day […]
Millions in housing help on the way for abuse victims, veterans and others
Victims of domestic violence, veterans, and those who’ve struggled with housing insecurity in South Dakota will soon have more options for temporary shelter thanks to federal COVID relief money. More than $7.5 million in federal funding will be split between six nonprofits with plans to refurbish or expand living spaces in Sioux Falls, Watertown, Pierre, […]
Campaigning ramps up as South Dakota voters decide on Medicaid expansion
CUSTER, S.D. — A silver minivan decorated with a large sticker reading “Love Your Neighbor Tour” recently circumnavigated South Dakota. Catholic nuns, Protestant pastors, a synagogue president, and a Muslim nonprofit professional were among the interfaith leaders who packed into the rented six-seater or caravanned behind. The road trip’s mission: to register voters and urge […]