South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, a broad coalition of patient advocates, nurses, healthcare providers, farmers, faith leaders, educators and more, announced that they are releasing their second television advertisement of the campaign.
The second advertisement from South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, entitled “Debt,” is a story in her own words of a leukemia patient who faced cancer treatment without access to insurance. Sarah says, “My first hospital bill was over $70,000. I remember thinking, I cannot afford to live.” The full ad can be watched here.
Zach Marcus, campaign manager for South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, said the campaign is pleased to be able to communicate directly with South Dakota voters. “Amendment D is important to the health of South Dakotans. Too many of our friends and neighbors are working hard and still unable to afford health insurance. We want to keep $328 million of our tax dollars here in South Dakota instead of providing healthcare for people in New York, California and the 37 other states that have chosen to already expand Medicaid.”
Carmyn Berg, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society regional director for advocacy and South Dakotans Decide Healthcare coalition member, said: “Sarah isn’t alone. Too many South Dakotans have similar stories. And the worst part is, they didn’t choose to develop serious conditions like cancer—they’re simply trying to survive with the unlucky cards they were dealt. Amendment D would allow more South Dakotans to focus on being healthy instead of having to fear bankruptcy or worse. That’s why we fully support it.”
South Dakotans Decide Healthcare has been endorsed by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, AARP South Dakota, South Dakota State Medical Association, South Dakota Nurses Association, South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, South Dakota Education Association, South Dakota Farmers Union, Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, Great Plains Tribal Leader’s Health Board, Avera Health, Monument Health, Sanford Health, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, South Dakota Faith in Public Life and more. It is one of the broadest coalitions to ever launch a ballot measure campaign in the state’s history.
