The general run of the 2021 South Dakota Legislative session wrapped up on Thursday this week. Overall it was a good session for healthcare. The Governor’s original proposal to give a 2.4% increase to healthcare providers stayed intact. The Joint Committee on Appropriations increased the Governor’s targeted rate increases, moving all community-based providers to 100% of their methodology. Long Term care received an 8.6% increase, those rate increases will go into effect on July 1, 2021.
House Bill 1100 is the measure to make medical marijuana legal in South Dakota. This bill is the Governor’s proposal to delay implementation of medical marijuana, but it was heavily amended as it worked it ways through the legislative process. The measure went to conference committee, but the House and Senate were unable to reconcile the changes. Both the House and Senate floor agreed to not adopt the conference committee report and not assign a new committee to consider the measure. This means the statutes passed under Initiated Measure 26 will move forward for implementation on July 1, 2021 without change.
House Bill 1154 prohibiting employment contracts with non-compete agreements narrowly passed the Senate with a vote of 19-16. There are actions in play asking Governor Noem to veto the measure, veto day is set for March 29th.
This past session SDAHO followed over 107 health care related bills while actively taking part in over 80 measures. To take a closer look at any of those bills or SDAHO’s involvement in this years legislative process, visit our Bill Tracker online.
