Governor Kristi Noem has signed Senate Bill 32 that allows for the expansion of the access critical nursing facility program which has been in effect since 2011.

South Dakota Department of Human Services Cabinet Secretary Shawnie Rechtenbaugh said, “This bill provides assurance to families that they will be able to choose nursing facility services close to home and avoid lengthy trips to visit loved ones.”

Senate Bill 32 allows for the expansion of the program with the addition of three nursing facilities:

• Bethel Lutheran Home – Madison, S.D.
• Platte Healthcare – Platte, S.D.
• Tekawitha – Sisseton, S.D.

 Rechtenbaugh added, “Nursing facility care can be more expensive to deliver in smaller, more rural areas due to availability of staffing and delivery of goods and services to the location.  An enhanced reimbursement process helps to make sure that these services remain available.”

 Currently, the program includes facilities in Eureka, Gettysburg, Martin, Lemmon, Miller, Philip, Chamberlain, Hot Springs, and Britton.

 The new legislation is effective July 1, 2021