Good afternoon District 27. Growing up on a farm my brothers and sisters learned how to work. The old saying “work before pleasure” was a fairly accurate statement. When we had our chores done, had eaten supper, and done cleaning the dishes, then we could go outside and play baseball. We had all sorts of chores from milking cows, pitching silage out of the silo, to grinding corn, plus many more tasks too numerous to mention. My point is that my mom and dad taught us that we should never be afraid of work and that if you wanted something, you had to work for it.
Moreover, Pope Francis states “Work is fundamental to the dignity of the person” (1). Jesus was the son of a carpenter and after Joseph died, even he had to work to provide for his Mother Mary. Why do I share these thoughts you wonder? It is because on the ballot this year a proposed Constitutional Amendment F is authorizing the state to impose work requirements on certain individuals who are eligible for expanded Medicaid.
Recall that in 2022, the voters approved a Constitutional provision that expanded Medicaid eligibility for any person over age 18 and under 65 whose income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, plus 5% of the federal poverty level for the applicable family size. This proposed amendment, more or less, acts like a trigger if/when the federal government, through Congress, approves and implements a work requirement component for expanded Medicaid beneficiaries who are working-age, able-bodied adults who want to enroll in Medicaid expansion. This proposed amendment exempts beneficiaries of the expanded Medicaid program who have physical or mental disabilities – no work requirement would be imposed upon them.
South Dakota values are about a hand up – not a handout. The old proverb still is true today: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” I am voting YES on Constitutional Amendment F. The Medicaid expansion program serves as a safety net for those unable to afford health insurance based on income eligibility requirements. The program was designed to provide a temporary “hand up” but not a long-term way of life. Amendment F (formerly known as Senate Joint Resolution 501) provides reasonable exceptions for individuals with young children, those who are ill or disabled, those in school, or those actively seeking employment. This amendment allows the voters to weigh in on the specific question regarding work requirements for Medicaid Expansion beneficiaries who are working-age, able-bodied adults. You will see in the last legislative session my opponent voted “NO” to allow the voters to weigh in on this decision.
Working is a fundamental value of South Dakota. If elected your state senator, I will uphold the values of a strong work ethic. A person should never be afraid of having to work for benefits paid out of the pockets of other taxpayers. God bless.
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