2022 SD Governor's race: on Health Care


Jamie R. Smith: Expanding Medicaid crucial to our rural communities

Expanding Medicaid in South Dakota is crucial for protecting our rural communities and essential workers. It will allow thousands to stay insured, get access to medication, and see a doctor.
Source: 2022 South Dakota Governor campaign website SmithForGov.org Aug 14, 2022

Kristi Noem: COVID: vaccine passports are oppressive and un-American

Vaccine passports are un-American, according to Gov. Kristi Noem. It's "one of the most un-American ideas in our nation's history," read a tweet posted on Noem's personal account. This is separate from her official governor account on the social media website. "We as Americans should oppose this oppression." She made it clear she doesn't support making vaccination a requirement to get access to certain events, flights and businesses, calling the idea oppressive and at odds with American values.
Source: KOTA-TV ABC-3 on 2022 South Dakota Gubernatorial race Mar 29, 2021

Jamie R. Smith: COVID face coverings keeps people healthy & businesses open

In regards to the pandemic, Smith said by doing little things like using face coverings, we can ensure that people stay healthy and keep businesses open. Smith said 3,000 people died in the state of South Dakota, and it's a larger number per capita than surrounding states. Smith was not using COVID as a political football. He said in a pandemic, we need to work together and speak to doctors to make sure we can stay safe as a community.

Defending her actions during the pandemic, Noem said, "I got up every day thinking of you." She said she talked to health care professionals and listened to their advice.

[Libertarian nominee Tracey] Quint said shutting everything down caused mental health issues. However, contracting COVID caused physical issues. Quint said allowing people to have a personal choice is something she believes in, and the government did not have the authority to impose precautionary actions on South Dakotans.

Source: KEVN Black Hills Fox on 2022 South Dakota Governor race Oct 2, 2022

Kristi Noem: Won't vote for Medicaid expansion; will implement if passed

Q: Expanding Medicaid is going to be on the ballot. Will you support that?

NOEM: What that does is make sure that Medicaid expansion would cover able-bodied single individuals that are able to work. It also would include about an $80 million cost to the state.

Q: Will you vote for it?

NOEM: I won't be voting for it myself personally because of the tax increases that would have to happen to pay for it. But if it is passed by the people, I certainly will implement it.

Source: CNN SOTU interviews on 2022 South Dakota Gubernatorial race Jul 3, 2022

Kristi Noem: No to Medicaid expansion; $80 million cost is too high

Noem does not support the expansion of Medicaid, saying it would cost the state $80 million. Noem said she has tried to increase telemedicine to decrease the cost of travel for those who live in rural communities and allow them to have better access to healthcare. She said she has also worked to try and improve transparency with insurance companies, so people know what they will and will not cover.

[Democratic nominee Jamie R. ]Smith said he is in favor of Medicaid expansion, so those in need would have some relief if they were faced with a huge medical bill. Smith says it will not cost as much as Noem claims.

[Libertarian nominee Tracey] Quint said if the voters show they are for Medicaid expansion, then she would deliver. Quint said she would shy away from adding to the state's expenses when it comes to expanding Medicaid but says there are ways the state can save money to fund Medicaid.

Source: KEVN Black Hills Fox on 2022 South Dakota Governor race Oct 2, 2022

Kristi Noem: Listen to healthcare professionals for COVID policy

In regards to the pandemic, Smith said by doing little things like using face coverings, we can ensure that people stay healthy and keep businesses open. Smith said 3,000 people died in the state of South Dakota, and it's a larger number per capita than surrounding states. Smith was not using COVID as a political football. He said in a pandemic, we need to work together and speak to doctors to make sure we can stay safe as a community.

Defending her actions during the pandemic, Noem said, "I got up every day thinking of you." She said she talked to health care professionals and listened to their advice.

[Libertarian nominee Tracey] Quint said shutting everything down caused mental health issues. However, contracting COVID caused physical issues. Quint said allowing people to have a personal choice is something she believes in, and the government did not have the authority to impose precautionary actions on South Dakotans.

Source: KEVN Black Hills Fox on 2022 South Dakota Governor race Oct 2, 2022

  • The above quotations are from 2022 South Dakota Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Health Care.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Kristi Noem on Health Care.
Candidates and political leaders on Health Care:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023