• Universal, Affordable, High-Quality Health Care

  • Nationally funded, community-based health care for all, with particular emphasis on underserved and vulnerable populations.

  • Full funding of Medicaid in South Dakota, including increased reimbursement for Medicaid providers and expanded access to affordable prescription drugs.

  • Comprehensive benefits that include prescription, dental, vision, and hearing coverage.

  • Strong consumer protections, including using the full authority of the Division of Insurance to reduce care delays caused by unnecessary insurance procedures, improve transparency in the cost of care, and ensure coverage of services mandated by statute, while working to ensure that fraud and abuse do not negatively impact consumers.

  • Improved coverage, access, and provider training for telehealth and web-based care, so geography is not a barrier to high-quality services.

  • Responsible adoption of AI-assisted screening and clinical decision support tools, with professional oversight, patient privacy protections, and equitable access across urban and rural settings.

  • Access to comprehensive health care for those with transportation or mobility limitations, including residents of long-term care facilities and incarcerated persons.

  • Continued improvement of rural health services so that all South Dakotans have access to quality care, regardless of where they live.

  • A resolution to the worsening deserts of accessible obstetric care, which is a factor in infant mortality.

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• Reproductive and Sexual Health

  • Reproductive choice and professional medical privacy regarding access to education, information, advice, referral, and care.

  • Safe, legal, and affordable contraception, fertility services, in-vitro fertilization, STI testing, abortion, and other preconception services regardless of age or income.

  • Comprehensive family-life education and contraceptive research that supports healthy childbearing and child-rearing.

  • Programs and funding to ensure access to prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care.

  • Removal of governmental regulation on body autonomy and gender-affirming health care.

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• Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

  • Preventive, trauma-informed mental health and substance use disorder treatment that provides equal access, continuity of care, and protection of patient rights.

  • Increased funding for mental health programs and substance use disorder in schools and communities, with resources for early intervention and ongoing support.

  • Expanded substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services, including programs targeted at youth and emerging adults.

  • Full legalized use of medical cannabis for any patient working with a qualified medical professional.

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• Aging with Dignity and Long-Term Care

  • South Dakota seniors’ right to live with dignity and be treated with respect, and to receive care that reflects a lifetime of contribution to their communities.

  • Establishment of a public long-term care insurance system to guarantee all South Dakotans the right to receive long-term care at an affordable cost.

  • Dignity for residents of nursing homes, to include appropriately funded staff, individual rooms for residents, and updated facilities and activities.

  • Annual rebasing of nursing home costs to encourage financial sustainability, prevent closures, and keep care available in local communities.

  • Removal of the moratorium on new nursing homes and broader measures to improve access to senior housing, long-term care, and skilled nursing care.

  • Local ownership of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

  • Increased funding for all styles of senior living and care, including senior apartments and assisted living facilities.

  • Fair and impartial treatment of seniors by state agencies charged with providing services to them, including vigorous enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

  • Education, enforcement, and promotion of laws and services that protect seniors from consumer fraud, identity theft, and elder abuse.

  • Promotion of medical, government, and financial literacy programs for seniors, including property tax relief programs and services available to seniors in their local community.

  • Adequate funding and promotion of senior nutrition programs.

  • Access to and education on culturally sensitive end-of-life and palliative care.

  • A statewide living will and advance directive registry available for all residents.

  • The right to end-of-life decisions, including a person’s right to die and to have family present.

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• Public Health, Workforce, and Infrastructure

  • Research based health initiatives throughout the life cycle, including preventive medicine, health monitoring research, and disease control and prevention.

  • Birth-to-Five services for children to ensure their healthy start in life and continued development.

  • Infectious disease control testing, screening, and comprehensive contact tracing for South Dakotans, especially vulnerable populations.

  • Reestablishment of the federal Global Health Security and Biodefense unit to develop pandemic preparedness plans.

  • Expedited research funding for infectious diseases and the social factors that determine health, and care for the afflicted and immunocompromised.

  • Support of infrastructure, workforce development, recruitment, and retention to meet South Dakota’s healthcare needs across inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services.

  • Action to address the worsening shortage of prehospital care and the closure of ambulance services including designating emergency medical services as an essential service.

  • Joining the World Health Organization Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network.

  • Accessibility in evidence-based immunizations.

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• Equity, Dignity, and Anti-Discrimination

  • Equitable treatment of all people regardless of age, culture, disability, education, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, immigration status, native language, race, sexual orientation, religion, spirituality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, criminal history, nation of origin, or tribal enrollment status.

  • Accessibility for all in the receipt of health and human services, including mobility access, hearing and visual accommodations, language access, and medical and socioeconomic accessibility and resources.

  • Adequate provision for the needs of physically, mentally, or emotionally challenged persons, including in-home services, community support providers, and institutional care services.

  • Private and public funding for trained emotional or physical service animals in home, community-based, or workplace settings.

  • Gender-affirming treatment, with informed consent, for people of all genders, as well as provider training in best practices for LGBTQ+ patients.

  • Equal rights, protections, and inclusive healthcare services for LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit people, including youth.

  • The protection of medical providers performing their duties, including abortion access and gender-affirming care, without fear of retaliation from their employer or the government.

  • Efforts to eliminate the abuse of power in any form and to hold elected and government officials, educators, healthcare providers, and public safety personnel accountable.

  • Striving toward the elimination of systemic injustice and discrimination in health care, human services, and related fields.

  • Separation of church and state in the provision of health and human services.

  • The right of women to live free from gender-based violence, inequality, and harassment, and the promotion of healing, justice, and safety services for survivors.

  • The acceptance and welcoming of immigrants and refugees, including equitable access to health and human services.

  • The recognition of disproportionate incarceration of Native Americans and the detrimental impact this has on society.

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• Social Determinants of Health

  • ​Accessible and affordable housing for all South Dakotans as a foundational determinant of health.

  • Programs to prevent and address youth homelessness, including resources for housing, supportive services, and mental health support.

  • Food accessibility and security for every South Dakotan.

  • Expansion of reentry services for justice-impacted individuals and those experiencing homelessness.

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• Families, Caregivers, and Children

  • Policy and programs that support families as they care for children, parents, and other family members through all stages of life.

  • Financial reimbursement for individuals spending their time and resources to help friends and neighbors get the care they deserve.

  • Expansion of childcare, travel support, and other resources to build a resilient healthcare workforce through a stronger support network.

  • Paid parental leave policies that support the health and well-being of parents and children for postpartum, foster, and adoptive parents.

  • Practical, affordable child care solutions that help working families, strengthen local communities, and support a stronger South Dakota economy.

  • Sustained financial investment to offset childcare costs and create stability in South Dakota’s childcare industry.

  • Caregiver training to ensure all children thrive in safe, affordable daycares.

  • Properly funding the programs of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) as well as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).