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in the number of insured citizens, although the actual impact will vary by provider."
• The Legislature this year opted not to expand the federal-state program that covers the medical expenses of low-income people, but states can change their decision at any time.
• Daugaard then assembled the task force to research the issue, gather input and complete a report that outlines the advantages and disadvantages of an expansion. The panel made up of lawmakers, doctors, behavioral health providers, dentists, community health providers, hospital officials and state workers was not asked to recommend whether South Dakota should expand Medicaid.
• The report included several recommendations, if the state were to expand Medicaid. Among them: terminating the program if federal funding drops below 90 percent, creating financial incentives to keep people healthy and monitoring the quality of care.
• The task force also evaluated arguments related to the issues of equity and fairness resulting primarily from the unintended consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision making Medicaid expansion optional for states. The report noted that expanding Medicaid is the only way to ensure that individuals below 100 percent of the federal poverty level will receive subsidized health insurance.
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• South Dakota couple gets $8 million award in wreck
• CASPER, Wyo. (AP) -- A federal jury has awarded a South Dakota couple more than $8 million for losses they suffered in a 2009 traffic accident in Sweetwater County.
• A judgment filed Wednesday following a jury trial in Casper awarded the money to Alexsandr and Lyudmila Durnyak of South Dakota. The couple last year sued Nebraska-based trucking company Prime Inc., and one of its drivers.
• The lawsuit claimed Mr. Durnyak was injured when a truck operated by Prime pulled in front of him as he was driving westbound on Interstate 80. The lawsuit states that he suffered extensive injuries including brain injuries, impaired vision and broken bones. The lawsuit claimed Mrs. Durnyak suffered damages because of the injuries to her husband.
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