Medicaid Expansion Petition Drive
In March Dakotans for Health set an internal goal to leverage grassroots volunteers to collect 10,000 Medicaid expansion signatures by 06/15/21.
Today we are please to report that our grassroots network has beat that internal goal. We have nearly 15,000 notarized signatures in hand.
The number is almost 1/2 of the approximately 33,000 VALID signatures required to qualify our citizen led constitutional amendment to expand Medicaid insurance to 42,000 working class South Dakotans who can't afford it.
Note: It takes 33,000 VALID signatures to qualify. Dakotans for Health is hoping to collect between 50,000-65,000 RAW (total) signatures to ensure ballot access.
We are pleased to report that our network of grassroots volunteers was able to to achieve this, but we have a long way to go. are all going to need to pull together in order to ensure this long overdue reform makes it onto the 2022 ballot.
Here is how you can help:
First, if you have not already, download, print and start circulating a Medicaid expansion petition RIGHT NOW.
Secondly, we are hiring more signature collectors everyday to support our grassroots volunteers. Please make a DONATION, if you can, to support this critical work.
Questions? Contact Pam Cole [pam.cole@dakotans4health.com] she is our Grassroots Organizing Director and will take good care of you!
You see, Dakotans For Health is doing something different
Our goal is to educate and organize our fellow citizens on healthcare so that we can step up when our institutions fail to act.
We think the best way to do this is pour our time and energy into building sustainable grassroots political power that can not only pass Medicaid expansion, but defend it.
That is why you won't find a lot of fancy D.C. consultants and hired guns at our events.
What you will find are a lot of people like YOU who have come together to extend health insurance to 42,000 of their family, friends, and neighbors who can't afford it:
People like Rodney and Luti in Rosebud
People like Lanny in Sioux Falls
People like Carl and Eileen in Eagle Butte
People like Jay in Rapid City
People like Natasha at Big Bat's
People like Amber in Parmelee and Mission
People like Natasha on Pine Ridge
And a lot of people like YOU
So if you haven't already join our grassroots network and start circulating a petition to expand Medicaid in South Dakota right now. Then make a donation, if you can, so we can continue to build the grassroots organizing power our community so desperately needs.
Additional Information and Developments
About Dakotans for Health
Dakotans for Health, an emerging group of public officials, caregivers, health care advocates, and concerned citizens to improve healthcare in the Dakotas including sponsoring the expansion of Medicaid and defending South Dakota's century old tradition of the initiated measure. We are honored to be joined by Organized Labor, all nine of South Dakota's Native Nations, and AFSCME Council 65 in this worthy endeavor.
Making a Donation
Help Secure Ballot Access for Medicaid Expansion and Defeat HJR 5003
Make a 2X MATCHED donation via ACT BLUE
Dakota News Now: Dakotans For Health and League of Women Voters Petition Event
You can view the original story and post HERE
Great Plains Tribal Chairmen endorse Dakotans for Health
You can view the full post and endorsement HERE
AFL-CIO backs grassroots organizing seeking to expand Medicaid
You can view the full AFL-CIO endorsement HERE
Judge rules in favor of Dakotans for Health, slowing SB 180’s requirement for paid petition circulators
You can read the KELO article HERE
Obama Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand on the importance of Grassroots Organizing and Dakotans for Health's campaign to expand Medicaid:
You can watch the full episode with Steve HERE
Message from Montana Governor Steve Bullock to Dakotans for Health petition circulators:
One neighbor. Helping another. That's something Tom Daschle understands.
You can watch the full episode with Senator Daschle HERE
Get involved. Volunteer, start circulating a petition, and donate! Text "Medicaid" to (772) 577-2336
Want to circulate a petition? We have been on the streets since November of last year! You can find everything you need HERE.
HHS Deputy Secretary Mary Wakefield supports Dakotans for Health and you can too!
You can watch the full episode with Secretary Wakefield HERE
Earl Pomeroy knows a thing or two because he's seen a thing or two.
You can watch the full episode with Congressman Pomeroy HERE
KELO: League of Women Voters Medicaid Expansion Petition Signing Event With Dakotans For Health
You can view the full KELO story HERE