Todd Epp reports that MoveOn.org is moving on Governor Dennis Daugaard's unconscionable refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act:
With the right strategy, we can force Governor Daugaard to expand Medicaid—or pay a steep political price. Our plan is to:
- Run a series of radio ads that will earn media attention and drive down approval ratings
- Give intense national support to MoveOn members organizing in South Dakota, enabling them to organize lobby days and other high-visibility events
- Use social media and online ads to build up support for Medicaid expansion and put pressure on Governor Daugaard
- Commission polling that shows that governors who refuse to expand Medicaid will pay a political price in November
[Anna Galland, fundraising e-mail, MoveOn.org, 2014.01.22; quoted in Todd Epp, "MoveOn.org Targets Governor Daugaard's Medicaid Stand," Northern Plains News, 2014.01.22]
Hey, how about including some support for the Democratic candidate for Governor, Joe Lowe, who's already out in front on that effort?
But maybe Joe and MoveOn are already making a difference. Some South Dakota Republicans seem to be reading the polls and seeing they'd better get with the program and expand Medicaid before it costs them their jobs:
Senate Republican Leader Tim Rave of Baltic said he doubts the Legislature would expand Medicaid to the full extent envisioned in the federal health care overhaul, but that lawmakers will likely talk about seeking federal approval to extend coverage to a smaller group of low-income people.
The federal government has so far refused to give South Dakota that flexibility, but House Republican Leader David Lust of Rapid City said he hopes federal officials will change their minds.
"I do think we could craft a resolution that is appropriate and effective for our situation in South Dakota," Lust said ["GOP Leaders Open to Partial Medicaid Expansion," AP via Watertown Public Opinion, 2014.01.20].
But Republican leaders can't just do the right thing. They have to find some way, any way, to duck and weave behind their punitive GOP mindset and anti-government talking points:
Rave said he could back a plan to expand Medicaid to those who need it most, for example a single mother working two part-time jobs to support two children. The kids likely are already covered by a Medicaid program but the mother might not qualify for Medicaid and cannot afford private insurance, he said.
"I think most South Dakotans would go: 'Gosh, that seems the right thing to do. Let's figure out a plan to do that.'"
Lust said both sides in the debate have compelling arguments. Expanding Medicaid would help low-income people, but the state also has to consider whether the federal government can afford to pay for the expansion, he said.
The best solution would be to cover those most in need of insurance, Lust said.
"Unfortunately, the federal government has prohibited that kind of flexibility. I'm hopeful that will change," Lust said [AP, 2014.01.20].
Senator Rave won't expand Medicaid without the leaving themselves the satisfaction of telling some poor soul, "You're not worthy!" Rep. Lust won't expand Medicaid without at least mouthing his concern about the federal budget, which never comes up when the Legislature finalizes a state budget that relies on the federal government for 41% of its funding.
But that these Republican leaders are stepping back from their anti-ACA, anti-Obama absolutism and opening the door to Medicaid expansion shows that the message is getting through: opposing the practical health benefit, economic stimulus, and moral good of this provision of the Affordable Care Act is a political loser. Telling voters in November, "We're helping sick people!" will win a lot more votes than saying, "We turned down millions of dollars and let people suffer to fight Barack Obama!"