Agency Streamlining Still Needed; More Options in Play in 2025

Healthcare
Blog · January 29, 2025

In the 125th General Assembly (2023-24), South Carolina legislators passed a bill separating the behemoth Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) into separate agencies (Act 60, 2023). Following that much-needed reform, legislators’ efforts turned toward finding comprehensive measures that would streamline health functions across state government. The state had 6 separate agencies that all dealt

What Improvements are Needed for South Carolina Telehealth Policy?

Healthcare
Blog · January 7, 2025

In February 2024, the General Assembly passed the SC Telehealth and Telemedicine Modernization Act (“The Act”). This legislation outlined a new definition of “Telehealth” as well as enhanced access to specific controlled substances through telehealth by updating tele-prescribing regulations. The update was careful to preserve necessary safeguards. The Act was a good first step, but

Commentary: History speaks clearly to SC health agency reforms

Healthcare
Blog · May 19, 2024

This column by Senior Fellow Dr. Oran Smith originally appeared in The Post and Courier May 19, 2024. Looking back over South Carolina’s civic life, most historians would agree that Carroll Campbell has been among our state’s most effective governors. It was Campbell, a Republican with a General Assembly that was 61% Democratic, who shepherded

Governor McMaster Explains Exactly Why we Need Health Agency Restructuring

Healthcare
Blog · May 15, 2024

On the last day of the legislative session, the crucially important bill to restructure South Carolina’s badly fractured health agencies was stalled due to a last-ditch procedural move. This delay is a disservice to all South Carolinians. Our state health agencies are in dire need of reform. This is a truth leaders have recognized for decades,

More Jobs, More Freedom, Better Health

Healthcare
Blog · May 1, 2024

This spring, there have been several bills moving through the General Assembly that would streamline licensing for healthcare professionals and ensure South Carolinians have more choices in healthcare.   These healthcare freedom reforms are much needed here in South Carolina. Following last year’s repeal of the burdensome Certificate of Need (CON) statute that prevented healthcare from

FORBES: Tennessee Could Follow South Carolina’s Lead With Cost-Reducing Reform

Healthcare
Blog · March 26, 2024

Palmetto Promise Senior Fellow Dr. Oran Smith is quoted in this article on Certificate of Need Reform written by Patrick Gleason and originally published in Forbes. South Carolina is a red state where Republicans have long held statewide offices and majorities in the state legislature, but the Palmetto State has not been a national leader

The New Health Agency: Efficiency? YES. Czar? NO.

Healthcare
Blog · March 14, 2024

Download this legislative analysis report. After the South Carolina General Assembly passed legislation separating the Department of Health & Environmental Control into separate agencies (Act 60, 2023), the legislature began work on a comprehensive measure that would streamline health functions across state government. The Senate has passed S.915 and the House has passed H.4927, each