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South Dakota's ability to expand Medicaid under Gov. Dennis Daugaard's conditions got a boost from federal policy changes that could help the state cover the costs of expansion, a top adviser to the governor said. Officials examining expansion hope to have a better idea next month whether a federal move to take on more Medicaid costs for Native American enrollees will allow South Dakota to cut spending enough to offset broadening eligibility for the public health coverage program. Daugaard has proposed expanding Medicaid as long as the state's share of the cost is covered by savings contingent on the federal policy changes. (5/3)

The prospects of a special session to address Medicaid expansion in South Dakota are improving. Gov. Dennis Daugaard's administration got good news last month that savings from a federal policy shift could save the state more than it initially expected. Meanwhile continuing conversations around a pair of ailing Indian Health Service (IHS) hospitals in the state has kept the issue in the public eye. (Ferguson, 5/3)

Gov. John Bel Edwards told more than 350 people from northeastern Louisiana they could thank his Medicaid expansion for saving University Health Conway, the state's safety net hospital in Monroe. Without the estimated $184 million savings from the Medicaid expansion, Edwards said, Conway would have suffered the same fate as four other safety net hospitals that are slated for closure because of deep budget cuts. (Hilburn, 5/3)

The chairmen of Arkansas' largest political parties agreed Tuesday that legislators came up with a good Medicaid expansion plan, even if they differed on how they got there. (Kissel, 5/3)