PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – South Dakota legislators will meet Monday for a special session to decide how to spend the rest of the one point two billion dollars the state got from the federal government for pandemic related costs. Several committees have been meeting to come up with recommendations.

Mark Deak (DEE-ack), Executive Director of the South Dakota Health Care Association, told the Joint Appropriations Committee that long term care facilities have been hard hit by the coronavirus.

Deak says many facilities were struggling before the pandemic.

Deak says the federal funding can make a difference for staff and patients.

Legislators recommended about $150 million for long term and community-based care facilities.

Legislators will also consider a recommendation that $400 million go to small businesses.