In search for better care for older citizens, legislators realize more money is necessary

PIERRE – South Dakota should offer more services to help older people live in their homes rather than move to nursing homes or other care facilities that are more expensive, a national consultant told a committee of legislators Thursday.

Allan Bergman also advised the lawmakers that Medicaid could look “very different” in a year because of changes that U.S. House speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, supports such as state block grants and spending caps.

Bergman said South Dakota doesn’t get its fair share from the federal Medicaid program while the state of New York gets more than its share.

One of the legislators, Rep. Leslie Heinemann, R-Flandreau, said the committee must find more funding for Medicaid providers in South Dakota if there are going to be more home-based services.

Read more: http://www.capjournal.com/news/in-search-for-better-care-for-older-citizens-legislators-realize/article_4c778e68-682c-11e6-8efc-87efa8f349c7.html