But Noem signaled that a 10-year-old child in the described situation might qualify for the state’s exemption for life-threatening medical emergencies. “I think it’s something that — yes, that situation, the doctor, the family, the people closest to her are going to make the decisions there for that family,” he told Bash. “That’s what’s interesting about the times we’re living in right now,” Noem added. “Each state will have different laws on the books. The decisions will be made by the legislators who are closest to the people. That’s right. It’s the way our Constitution intended.” The US Supreme Court’s recent ruling that there is no longer a federal constitutional right to abortion has led more states to enact their own abortion policies. The decision has already led to a patchwork system — as expected — in which access to the process is determined, for many people, largely by whether a state is controlled by Republicans or Democrats. Along with South Dakota, abortion laws have been implemented in at least three states: Arkansas, Missouri and Wisconsin. A Mississippi enabling law is set to go into effect on July 7. Wyoming, North Dakota, Idaho and Tennessee await state action, and legal battles over abortion restrictions are underway in more than a dozen states. Noem was also asked Sunday about his support for paid family leave or greater financial access to child care. “That’s a conversation we’re going to have. I think it’s important to support exactly what I’ve been saying since I’ve been governor, that we want stronger families,” he told Bash. “A lot of times, it’s the financial cost, the medical cost and the leave policy that a lot of people have a hard time supporting. But I think in South Dakota the time is right.” Noem, however, said she does not support expanding Medicaid, which is on the state’s ballot in November. The measure would cover low-income women without health insurance in South Dakota during and after pregnancy. CNN’s Devan Cole and Tierney Sneed contributed to this report.
