South Dakota Health Insurance
How healthy is living in South Dakota?
South Dakota is rated the 16th healthiest state to live in, according to the 2007 update of United Health Foundation's list based on 20 different categories.
The state ranks number one in the categories of least amount of sick days and mental health days. It also ranks fifth in having the least amount of violent crime. In addition, South Dakota has a low rate of infectious disease -- only three states rank better in that category.
If you're a South Dakotan with a teenager entering his or her freshman year in high school, the odds are very good they will graduate four years later -- only seven states rank better.
The state is not without its challenges. Binge drinking is a problem for 18.1 percent of its population -- worse than all except five other states (this is largely a midwestern problem, with seven of the ten worst from this region).
Occupational fatalities is another challenge with 9.4 deaths per 100,000 citizens, with only six states having a higher death toll.
Smoking actually increased from 2006 to 2007, but is still lower than what it was entering this decade.
See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on South Dakota.
Does South Dakota have a risk pool for the uninsurable?
South Dakota Risk Pool
605-773-3148 (ask for a Risk Pool representative)
Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state-to-state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the poolto keep it in the black. In the best cases they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Find more on risk pools here.
Cover The Uninsured's guide on finding health insurance in South Dakota
Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
- Cover The Uninsured's facts on the uninsured in South Dakota.
- Its guide on how to find health insurance in South Dakota.
- Materiales En Español -- Guías para encontrar cobertura de seguro de salud.
Georgetown University's Guide to Health Insurance in South Dakota
Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute has researched and written state-by-state guides for finding and keeping health insurance. It updates these guides as federal and state policies change. A number of non-profit organizations contribute to funding its research. Find more on the Health Policy Institute.
News headlines on South Dakota health insurance
Find the most recent headlines on health insurance in South Dakota at Google News or Yahoo News.
Want single-payer health care? Concerned about the uninsured?
Contact your elected officials about health care issues
Contact your federal officials. Phone calls are best. Faxes are good, too. Since 9-11 postal mail creates long delays, and many members of Congress simply do not take e-mail seriously -- however, since e-mail is so easy it doesn't hurt to do that, too. Members of the Senate and Congress will usually ignore any correspondence that is not from their district, so its not desirable to blanket e-mail them (this type of abuse is why many do not view it favorably). The Electronic Frontier Foundation has a guide on how to contact your elected officials, including a valuable list of dos and dont's.
- Contact the White House
Phone: toll free 1-800-671-7887 (ask for the Comment Line)
FAX: 1 202-456-2461 (fax)
E-mail:comments@whitehouse.gov
- Find contact information on your U.S. Representative
Locate by using your ZIP Code
Or if you know who your representative is, simply call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-800-962-3524
- Senator Tim Johnson
PHONE: 202-224-5842 (DC office)
FAX: 202-228-5429 (DC office)
Local offices
Contact by E-mail
- Senator John Thune
PHONE: 202-224-2321 (DC office)
FAX: not available (DC office)
Local offices
Contact by E-mail
- South Dakota Governor Michael Rounds
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
PHONE: 605-773-3212
Contact by e-mail
- Contact your South Dakota State Senator and State Representative
USNews health insurance rankings for South Dakota
US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state. Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in South Dakota.
Official State Goverment Sites with South Dakota Health Insurance Information
South Dakota Department of Help -- its mission is to prevent disease and promote health, ensure access to needed, high-quality health care, and to efficiently manage public health resources.
South Dakota Children's Health Insurance Program -- provides health insurance at little or no cost to South Dakota children who meet certain eligibility guidelines.
South Dakota Department of Social Services -- its Division of Economic Assistance is responsible for administering the Medicaid to help low income individuals and families.
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