YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- When the Joint Committee on Appropriations of the South Dakota legislature holds their first meeting of the interim this week, Medicaid expansion will be on the agenda.

Committee Chair, Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says they anticipate some big changes in Medicaid coverage.

With the Covid emergency ending, its possible up to twenty thousand people could lose their Medicaid coverage.

Hunhoff says many of those people could then be covered under the Medicaid expansion starting this summer. She says DSS has requested dozens of new employees.

Hunhoff says they need to track both Medicaid programs.

Voters approved a constitutional amendment last year to expand Medicaid coverage.