SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (WNAX) – A report from the South Dakota Legislative Research Council highlights the financial issues involved with Medicaid expansion.

Rick Weiland with the group “Dakotans for Health” says the report clearly lays out the benefits of expansion.

The group has organized to push for a November 2022 ballot issue to expand Medicaid.

Weiland says the debate should not be a partisan one.

Weiland says South Dakota is again lagging behind other states.

Weiland says the state could miss out on another $1 billion in federal funds between now and 2022.

He estimates they will need to gather over 50,000 signatures to force a ballot issue. They can start their petition effort after this year’s general election.