Repeal of Certificate of Need Could Bring More Health Care Options

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Healthcare in South Carolina cold potentially be more affordable and accessible.

Both the S.C. House and Senate have overwhelming approved the repeal of “Certificate of Need” regulations https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess125_2023-2024/bills/164.htm

The reappeal of those restrictions now await the expected signature of S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster.

This bill removes most of those restrictions, save nursing homes that want to build or expand which will still need to get state permission.

Under the new bill, most provisions would immediately go into place and no longer require state approval, including building new ambulatory surgery centers and doctor’s offices, repealing a $600,000 equipment purchase cap for hospitals, and moving a hospital to a new facility in the same county as its current one, without increasing the number of beds.

It would also allow new hospitals to be built in the eight South Carolina counties that currently do not have one without needing DHEC’s signoff.

“I think the repeal is long overdue,” said Anderson Dr. Shane Purcell. “In our primary care clinic, we frequently see patients that refuse treatment plans like imaging, labs and procedures due to costs. Many also refuse screening procedures like colonoscopy and mammograms due to costs.”

Purcell said more options for patients are needed.

“Competition and choice are good for patients. We need outpatient surgery center options not just hospital own clinics. In areas where Certificate of Need has been repealed, such as Florida, patients have more options at cheaper prices for things like MRI scans for $300 - half the cash costs currently in place.”