Committee tables proposal to fund telehealth kiosks for rural communities

Joint Appropriations voted to table House Bill 11 11, a proposal to appropriate $1,000,000 in general funds to the Department of Health to grant telehealth kiosks to small communities.

Representative Garcia, prime sponsor, described the kiosks as an "office in a box" designed to serve communities with populations under 15,000, saying the technology can provide vitals, EKGs and other diagnostics while operating on secure connections. "It is an office in a box," Garcia said, adding proponents had targeted rural and tribal areas.

Opponents raised fiscal and fairness concerns. Yolanda Song of the Bureau of Finance and Management said kiosks can range from about $5,000 to more than $60,000 depending on services and noted the bill does not include long-term maintenance or replacement funding. "When this money runs out, who will be responsible for these annual costs?" Song asked. Justin Bell of the South Dakota State Medical Association said the association supports telehealth expansion but urged funding prioritization for residency and rural recruitment programs.

Why it matters: Supporters said kiosks could increase access for underserved rural and tribal populations and reduce unnecessary emergency-room visits; opponents said the state should clarify thresholds for eligibility, maintenance funding and whether subsidizing private telehealth services is appropriate.

Procedure and outcome: Representative Derby moved to table the bill; the motion passed by roll call. The committee reported the tabling vote as 15 yeas, 1 nay and 2 excused, and HB 11 11 was tabled.

Next steps: Tabled bills may be revived in committee or brought forward by the sponsor later; the transcript recorded interest in further discussions with health systems and potential private partners but no commitment to further immediate action.