Week 12 Legislative Update
As the South Carolina General Assembly reaches the “back stretch” of the legislative session, SCHA is closely monitoring several critical issues, from budget shortfalls to healthcare worker protections. Here is the rundown for Week 12 at the State House.
Legislative Schedule & The State Budget
With only about 15 legislative days remaining, the House of Representatives will be in recess next week. Meanwhile, the Senate will hold perfunctory sessions while the Senate Finance Committee continues its work on the state budget.
The Board of Economic Advisors (BEA) met recently to review revenue forecasts for income and sales tax, and the outlook remains unchanged from November estimates. This stagnant growth poses a significant challenge for the Medicaid budget. Without difficult decisions from the Senate Finance Committee, it is increasingly unlikely the budget will be fully funded.
- Action Needed: SCHA is launching a grassroots campaign next week. Members are encouraged to engage their senators to advocate for full Medicaid funding to ensure continued access for beneficiaries and constituents across the state.
The HALO Act
Significant progress was made last week through work with Senator Hembree on an amendment to include all healthcare workers within hospitals and facilities. While a hurdle has arisen regarding “parental rights” concerns, SCHA is actively working on compromise language. The Association remains focused on the primary goal: protecting healthcare workers from assault while they provide life-saving care.
Medical Malpractice
Legislation regarding medical malpractice is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is expected in a few weeks. A primary point of discussion is the increase in damage caps; the House-passed version is significantly higher than the Senate’s. SCHA is working with senators to reach a more reasonable increase that balances the interests of hospital members.
Crossover Success
Although the legislature no longer adheres to a formal statutory “crossover date,” several key SCHA priorities have successfully moved between chambers:
- Hallway Bed Legislation: Has successfully crossed over.
- Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Designation: Has successfully crossed over. Both bills are moving closer towards being signed into law.
Regulatory Updates & Member Advocacy
- Rural Health Transformation Fund: The application window is now open until June 1st. Hospitals should consult the DHHS website for guidance. SCHA is compiling member questions to facilitate a Q&A with the agency before the deadline. More information available here.
- Member Spotlight: A special thank you to AnMed and Novant Health for their presence at the State House this week. Their direct advocacy helps ensure that lawmakers are paying attention to sound healthcare policy!
Looking Ahead
There will be no “In Session” video next week while the House is on furlough. The next “Hospital at the State House” day will be the week of April 14th. We will return with a full update in two weeks.