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White House is 'close' on Japan, India tariff agreements but expect them to be light on specifics; Families in limbo following federal energy assistance program cuts- we have reports from NH and MD; NV adopted CA's 'clean car' standard, rule now under GOP examination.

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Educators worry about President Trump's education plan, as federal judges block several of his executive orders. Battles over voting rules are moving in numerous courts. And FSU students protest a state bill lowering the age to buy a gun.

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Migration to rural America increased for the fourth year, technological gaps handicap rural hospitals and erode patient care, and doctors are needed to keep the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians healthy and align with spiritual principles.

Researchers Link Medicaid Expansion with Child-Neglect Reduction

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Thursday, October 6, 2022   

As South Dakota voters prepare to consider a proposed Medicaid expansion, emerging research suggests giving these programs a bigger reach can lead to reduced rates of child maltreatment.

Through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the findings were compiled by researchers at the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse at Johns Hopkins University.

Elizabeth Letourneau, director of the Center, said they looked at data in states with expanded programs, compared with states without. She reported on average, they found a 13%-16 % reduction in child neglect rates in expansion states.

"And financial instability is perhaps the most serious risk factor for neglect of children," Letourneau explained. "And so, there's less medical debt, there's less trying to figure out, 'Do I buy this prescription medicine or do I put food on the table for my family?' "

She pointed out they also found positive trends in reducing physical abuse. The Center cautioned the trend was not as statistically significant, but noted there is evidence of hope. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government provides funding to help states expand their Medicaid programs. Twelve states have yet to do so. The question will appear on South Dakota ballots in the November election.

Letourneau added while there are a variety of prevention programs to help families on an individual basis, broader policies should not be overlooked in seeking solutions.

"If those policies happen to have the impact of driving down and preventing violence against children, you're just going to get a much, much bigger bang for your buck," Letourneau contended.

The federal government covers 90% of Medicaid expansion costs, and extra incentives were added during the pandemic. There is opposition from some Republican policymakers, who still give pause at having to find room in the state budget for the remaining share. Except for Wyoming, all the states bordering South Dakota have expanded Medicaid.


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