The 2023 South Dakota Legislative session has concluded. This session was good for healthcare overall, with several wins in helping to pass good legislation and defeat poor legislation. SDAHO’s advocacy team aided in passing several pieces of legislation that will impact our members who continue to struggle with workforce challenges. A few of the bills will provide additional funding and scholarships for future healthcare providers. We also saw the passage of SB 76, which will provide for licensure by endorsement for certain licensed professionals and occupations. Also, SB 25 has already been signed by the Governor and will make an appropriation to reimburse health care professionals who have complied with the requirements for health care recruitment assistance programs and to declare an emergency.
Lawmakers approved HB 1078 that will assist with alternative care when nursing homes are not an option. The measure allows for the development and expansion of adult day services programs in our state, which will also help member facilities with staff shortages or availability issues in nursing homes.
As always, the final bill of the session was the general appropriations bill, SB 210. SDAHO’s Advocacy team worked hard all of session to both defend what was in the Governor’s proposed budget for healthcare, as well as advocate for additional funding, especially in the long-term care space. After many meetings with legislators, we are happy to report that they included funding to bring community-based providers to 100% of their Medicaid methodologies, which includes nursing homes, assisted living, and in-home services. For nursing homes, this was an overall increase of 49 million dollars!
Lawmakers will return to Pierre on March 27 to consider any gubernatorial vetoes. The SDAHO advocacy team will be on hand to lift a voice if needed. To take a closer look at all of the bills tracked by SDAHO this session visit our advocacy page and click on the Bill Tracker.
