In 2023, the South Carolina General Assembly passed Act 20, partially repealing the state Certificate of Need law, a statute that had made it more difficult to build new healthcare facilities and stand up new healthcare programs in the Palmetto State. Before Act 20, a government permission slip was needed in order for a private

Nearly two years ago, South Carolina lawmakers debated merging the state’s fragmented health care agencies. The proposal was controversial; members of the South Carolina House Freedom Caucus warned the merger would concentrate too much power in a single person, creating a “health czar”.  Today, the consolidation is showing results. In 2024, Palmetto Promise Institute produced

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina patients will soon have greater access to detailed information about their medical expenses under a new state law aimed at increasing transparency in health care billing. Click here to view the full broadcast. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, hospitals and other health care facilities across South Carolina will be required

In recent years, there has been a plethora of stories about the great migration of Americans from high-cost-of-living states, namely California and New York, to cheaper, freer states such as Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. So, what about South Carolina? It is actually the Palmetto State that is leading the nation in in-migration. According to Tax

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are companies that act as intermediaries between drug manufacturers, health insurers, and pharmacies. PBMs do not directly distribute medications, but they play a pivotal role in attempting to control costs, determining quantities of medication available, and altering the overall consumer experience. Most Americans have at some point in their lives been

New data indicate that telemedicine has the potential to be a “great equalizer” for maternal health. As we have written previously, the 2024 Telehealth and Telemedicine Modernization Act made strides in making telemedicine accessible to more South Carolinians. But while this legislation made progress, it did not go far enough to decrease the barriers we

In 2023, South Carolina took a decisive leap in ensuring quality and affordable care for patients through the repeal of the South Carolina CON (Certificate of Need) statute. These laws required government permission slips to start or expand the services of a healthcare business. While the repeal of CON was an important step in the

What a year 2025 has been for the state of South Carolina! With a 2026 election cycle well underway (including a series of Statehouse special elections in recent days) and a busy initial year of the two-year legislative session, there has been no shortage of political activity. As we prepare for the 2026 legislative session, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the impact Palmetto Promise Institute has had on

In South Carolina, where patients often drive far and wait weeks to see a doctor, the answer to faster, cheaper care may be standing behind the pharmacy counter.   The United Health Foundation found that, in 2023, 31.8% of people in South Carolina live in rural areas, which is higher than the national average of 20.4%.

How long have you spent waiting for an appointment with a physician? Prolonged wait times have become a reality for most Americans due to a nationwide doctor shortage. On average, Americans must wait 20 days to receive an appointment with a physician, even though the estimated standard wait time is 14 days. Nationwide, this shortage