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Public Policy Initiatives 2008 - South
Dakota
While high cost of coverage and relatively low incomes
of many South Dakotans remain as significant barriers for access to health
insurance, variations exist among the many segments of the uninsured
population. Wellmark continues to emphasize strategies and options targeted
at the specific segments within South Dakota’s uninsured population,
based upon current and reliable data concerning these uninsured.
Initiatives
Reduce the Number of Uninsured
- Support federal reauthorization and incremental expansion of the
State Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
- Support targeted tax incentives and other subsidy programs (e.g.
state-sponsored reinsurance mechanism, premium assistance) to enable
broader access to private health insurance.
- Support increased access for children (to age 19) via expansion
of coverage and funding of SCHIP (Medicaid and/or state Children’s
Health Insurance Programs).
- Support expanded Medicaid eligibility and funding for low-income
adults under new benefit options with cost sharing (based on income
level).
- Support proposals to allow carriers to offer lower cost, mandate
free benefit policies as additional options in the market.
- Support proposals from the South Dakota health care reform commission
that is targeted to reduce the number of uninsured in South Dakota.
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