Healthcare

Healthcare costs continue to skyrocket. Doctors and patients battle through bureaucratic red tape and one-size-fits-all Washington mandates. Learn how South Carolina can embrace many proven, state-led innovations to lower costs, increase quality, and expand access to care for patients in every corner of our state.

The Latest

Blog
March 14, 2024

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

Oran P. Smith, Ph.D

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

Blog
October 11, 2023

Governor McMaster Ceremonial CON Repeal Signing

Last week in the Statehouse, Governor Henry McMaster held a ceremonial bill signing for the legislation repealing South Carolina’s Certificate of Need (CON) statute. Palmetto Promise Institute President Wendy Damron and PPI Senior Fellow Dr. Oran Smith (far left of the photo above) were on hand for the occasion. In his remarks, Governor McMaster was

Blog
October 3, 2023

Fast Facts: Direct Primary Care

Palmetto Promise Team

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an innovative healthcare model being embraced by patients, providers, employers, and policymakers across the United States.

Blog
September 19, 2023

What Can Other States Learn From South Carolina’s Successful CON Law Repeal?

Aubrey Wursten writes for the Independent Women’s Forum about South Carolina’s Certificate of Need (CON) repeal and cites Palmetto Promise Institute research on the topic. In 1987, the federal government repealed the certificate of need (CON) mandate it had enacted 13 years before. During those 13 years, any state wishing to receive subsidies, such as

Blog
August 22, 2023

The Beach Boom and Healthcare

Oran P. Smith, Ph.D

According to a new study by U.S. News and World Report, the fastest-growing metro area in the United States is…Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This is no real surprise, because when the South Carolina General Assembly was debating the future of the Certificate of Need (CON) program, we highlighted Horry County (oh-ree) as an example of

Blog
July 24, 2023

Litigating for Liberty!

Oran P. Smith, Ph.D

Some of the most significant conservative policy victories of recent years had a litigation element. By that I mean a legal case made its way to the Supreme Court and the side of freedom won. In the Janus case (2018), the court ruled that public employees cannot be forced to pay agency fees to a

Blog
July 14, 2023

Palmetto Promise Nominated for National Award!

Palmetto Promise Team

Palmetto Promise Institute is one of three nominees that made the cut for the State Policy Network‘s “Biggest Win for Freedom Award.” The winner will be announced at SPN’s Annual Meeting in Chicago next month.  About the Awards… State Policy Network’s Bob Williams Awards for Outstanding Policy Achievement recognize state think tanks doing exceptional work