Democrat Nikki Gronli and Republican Marty Jackley debated Oct. 1 on SDPB. Candidates talked through their stance on data centers, artificial intelligence, agriculture, immigration policies, child care costs and more. Several claims were made regarding South Dakota impacts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Tump signed into law on July 4, 2025. This was the only televised debate before the Nov. 3 general election. Here is a fact check of some statements made by each of them during the debate. Will South Dakota lose millions in federal funding for Medicaid over the next decade? Yes. During the debate, Gronli said South Dakota will lose an estimated $931 million over the next 10 years from national cuts from the Big Beautiful Bill, which is true. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly and people with disabilities. The bill, passed in July 2025, aims to cut nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid coverage for enrollees nationwide, including reportedly 13,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Social Services website says coverage will not change for most people, but it does not provide details. Democratic U.S. House candidate Nikki Gronli speaks at the lectern on Oct. 1, 2026 at SDPB in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Photo: Jon Beringer) ℹ️ This fact brief responds to a claim by Gronli. Sources KFF, Allocating CBO’s Estimates of Federal Medicaid Spending Reductions and Enrollment Loss Across the States: House Reconciliation Bill South Dakota Department of Social Services, South Dakota Medicaid: Eligibility Changes Coming Soon South Dakota Searchlight, 13,000 South Dakotans would lose Medicaid if ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ passes, research group says Did the One Big Beautiful Bill provide South Dakota with millions for rural health care? Yes. The Rural Health Transformation Program, outlined in the Big Beautiful Bill, included $189 million for South Dakota toward the first year of implementation. The South Dakota Department of Health outlined four areas that the money would be used to advance rural health care: Connect technology and data for a healthier South Dakota Advance the rural workforce Keep health care access local and strong Transform systems for sustainability "It doesn't really do much good to invest in technology and things in hospitals if people can't actually access the health care," Gronli said of the rural health care money in regard to the Medicaid cuts. Jackley said private health care is the answer. "When you talk about health care and those challenges that we just heard about from my opponent, it's all because of what was happening with respect to trying to socialize medicine," Jackley said. "Government health care isn't the answer." U.S. House candidate Marty Jackley speaks at the lectern on Oct. 1, 2026, at SDPB in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Photo: Jon Beringer) ℹ️ This fact brief responds to a claim by Jackley . Sources South Dakota News Watch, What $189M in rural health care funding may mean for SD South Dakota Department of Health, Rural Health Transformation Program Watch the full debate, moderated by SDPB's Jackie Hendry in collaboration with South Dakota News Watch. About fact briefs Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by South Dakota News Watch as part of the Gigafact network. Submit a question for us to answer on the tipline . South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, subscribe for free and donate at sdnewswatch.org . Contact reporter Emily DeCock: 605-736-4396 / emily.decock@sdnewswatch.org . https://www.youtube.com/live/LIqzx4SNWlc?si=mGnxIcpfx9A2JgzF&t=1382 Fact briefs