Tuesday,  March 5, 2013 • Vol. 14--No. 229 • 16 of 30 •  Other Editions

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• The Senate Transportation Committee last week attached a $50,000 appropriation to the bill, which forced sponsors to get a two-thirds vote. Two attempts to strip the appropriation failed, and the bill twice couldn't garner two-thirds support.
• Democratic Rep. Peggy Gibson of Huron argued that the federal government is providing money to hire a drivers' education coordinator so the appropriation is unnecessary.
• But Republican Rep. Lance Russell of Hot Springs says he's concerned about sequestration and whether the money would be available.

Deal could give prenatal care to 300 more SD women
CHET BROKAW,Associated Press

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- More than 300 additional women, both citizens and illegal immigrants, could receive state-funded prenatal care under a proposed agreement between South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard and state lawmakers Monday.
• The Senate Health and Human Services Committee rejected a proposal that would provide prenatal care for pregnant women who are in the country illegally. But the plan is still alive, as Daugaard senior adviser Deb Bowman said the governor has agreed to suggest amending the upcoming state budget bill allowing those women to get prenatal care.
• Also Monday, the committee approved a plan to relax income limits for U.S. citizens to receive prenatal care.
• Lawmakers said the maneuvering means Medicaid, the state-federal program that provides medical care for poor people, might be expanded to provide prenatal care to both citizens and illegal immigrants.
• House Democratic Leader Bernie Hunhoff's original bill, which has been approved by the House, would have changed state law to require that illegal immigrants who are pregnant receive prenatal care. Officials have estimated that 184 pregnant women a year would receive the care, costing the state nearly $245,000 under Hunhoff's plan. But Hunhoff, of Yankton, said it would save money by reducing the number of babies born with severe problems that require expensive care.
• His plan now will be proposed as a change to the state's overall budget, which the Legislature plans to pass by the end of this week. Supporters have said medical care should be provided to protect all unborn children, even if their parents are illegal immigrants, while opponents have contended it could encourage illegal immigration.
• "I think we could have two wins instead of one," Hunhoff said.

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