Point: Amendment D good for South Dakota's health, economy
By Zach Marcus, South Dakotans Decide Healthcare
No one should have to decide if they can afford life-saving health care for themselves or their families. But right now, thousands of South Dakotans are stuck in the middle. They can't get insurance through their jobs, and they can't afford insurance on their own because costs are sky high.
Voting YES on Amendment D means thousands of South Dakotans who work but don’t make enough money to afford health insurance will be able to get it. South Dakotans who make less than $19,000 per year will be able to get health care, including:
Hard-working near-retirees who don’t have jobs that provide health care
Small business owners who can’t afford health care for themselves and their workers
Farmers and ranchers
Counterpoint: Expansion hurts South Dakota
Currently, Washington politicians send $328 million of South Dakota’s tax dollars each year to California, New York and 37 other states to pay for their health care instead. Voting YES on Amendment D ends that. It means we can keep those dollars right here in South Dakota, so hardworking South Dakotans can get health care coverage without raising taxes.Â
Amendment D will strengthen health care in South Dakota, which will generate an estimated $3.5 billion in new economic output in South Dakota by 2025, including $800 million in 2023. It will also generate 4,000 new jobs, including 2,200 in the healthcare field. Amendment D will ensure our workforce remains healthy, which leads to healthy businesses and a healthy economy.
Amendment D will strengthen rural hospitals and clinics and make it easier for people in rural South Dakota to get health care.
It’s common sense to keep our tax dollars here at home, to create jobs and to increase access to health care for our citizens. That’s why health care providers, health advocates, business leaders, Republicans, Democrats and independents all agree Amendment D is right for South Dakota.
Vote YES on Amendment D to keep South Dakota’s tax dollars in South Dakota to help OUR communities.