A Sioux Falls resident votes in the 2024 general election on Nov. 5, 2024, at St. Lambert’s Catholic Church. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)
A ballot measure authorizing South Dakota state officials to consider work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients was winning in unofficial results.
The tally was 56% in favor of Amendment F and 44% opposed as of 9:45 a.m. Central time Wednesday, with about 90% of statewide votes counted.
Medicaid is a federal-state health insurance program for people with low incomes. In the past, Medicaid was not available to able-bodied adults younger than 65, unless they were below the poverty line and had young children.
In 2022, South Dakota voters expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level. The expansion is part of the state constitution and can only be altered by voters. It includes a ban on “greater or additional burdens or restrictions,” such as a work requirement.
Earlier this year, legislators decided to put Amendment F on the ballot. The amendment will allow lawmakers to consider a work requirement if the federal government permits it. The Democratic Biden administration does not allow it, but a future Republican administration might.