Celebrating 100 Years of Advocacy, Partnerships and a Unified Voice
Throughout its 100-year history, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) has worked alongside its members and partners to advocate for policies that strengthen healthcare across the state. Few recent examples demonstrate the power of collaboration quite like the successful effort to expand Medicaid in South Dakota.
On November 8, 2022, South Dakota voters made history by approving Constitutional Amendment D, expanding Medicaid eligibility to thousands of low-income adults. The measure passed with approximately 56 percent of the vote, marking a significant milestone in the state’s healthcare history.
But the story behind that victory began long before Election Day.
A Shared Goal, A Unified Voice
For years, Medicaid expansion was part of South Dakota’s healthcare policy discussions. Healthcare leaders recognized the challenges facing uninsured residents, particularly those living and working in rural communities.
For SDAHO and its members, the issue extended beyond healthcare coverage. It was also about strengthening rural hospitals and clinics, supporting healthcare workers, reducing uncompensated care and helping ensure that South Dakotans could access needed services close to home.
As the 2022 election approached, SDAHO joined a broad coalition of organizations supporting the South Dakotans Decide Healthcare campaign and the Yes on Amendment D effort.
The coalition brought together healthcare professionals, hospitals, nurses, physicians, farmers, educators, small businesses and community organizations, including AARP and the American Cancer Society.
While these groups represented different interests and communities, they shared a common goal: expanding access to affordable healthcare for South Dakotans.
Members and Partners Making a Difference
One of the most significant aspects of the Medicaid expansion effort was the collaboration among organizations and individuals across South Dakota.
SDAHO and its members helped elevate the healthcare perspective, emphasizing what expansion could mean for patients, providers and communities.
Campaign materials highlighted the potential to extend coverage to more than 40,000 South Dakotans, including working adults, parents, farmers and small-business employees who struggled to afford healthcare coverage.
The effort also emphasized the importance of rural healthcare. For hospitals and clinics operating with limited resources, reducing the number of uninsured patients offered an opportunity to strengthen financial stability and preserve access to local services.
Through education, advocacy and community conversations, coalition partners helped bring the issue to voters across the state.
The success of Amendment D demonstrated what can happen when healthcare organizations and community partners come together with a shared message and purpose.
For SDAHO, the passage represented more than a policy achievement. It reflected years of advocacy, relationship-building and collaboration among members, healthcare professionals and partners committed to improving access to care.
A Century Strong: The Power of Working Together
As SDAHO celebrates its 100th anniversary, the passage of Medicaid expansion stands as an important chapter in the association’s history.
It serves as a reminder that meaningful healthcare policy changes rarely happen through the efforts of one organization or individual. They require partnerships, persistence, education and a willingness to work toward a shared goal.
The passage of Amendment D was a victory for collaboration and an example of the power of a unified voice.
For 100 years, SDAHO has brought healthcare leaders together to advocate for stronger, healthier communities. The Medicaid expansion effort is one more example of that mission in action.
The Work of Advocacy Continues
Nearly four years after Amendment D passed, Medicaid expansion remains part of South Dakota’s healthcare policy discussions.
With Constitutional Amendment I on the November 2026 ballot and additional federal and state Medicaid policy changes ahead, healthcare leaders continue to examine the potential impact on patients, providers and communities.
The conversations may evolve, but the importance of member engagement, collaboration and a strong healthcare voice remains unchanged.
A Century Strong: Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future.
