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EMS, Physical Therapy Licensure Compacts Move Forward
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Two licensure compacts to improve access to specific providers in South Carolina moved forward in the House this week. H.4486 (Henderson) would enact the EMS Interstate Licensure Compact to allow emergency medical service providers licensed in other member states to quickly become licensed and able to practice in South Carolina. H.4799 (Howard) is the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, which expedites the process for qualified physical therapists from other compact member states to become licensed in South Carolina and be able to provide services in our state.
Representative Hill (R-Anderson) spoke against both compacts because he feels they give authority for licensing to an out-of-state, unelected body. He said he supports reciprocity with other states, particularly neighboring states, for provider licenses, but does not think a compact like this is necessary.
Representative Henderson (R-Greenville) sponsored the EMS Compact legislation and mentioned during debate that South Carolina is currently a member of 32 licensure compacts like these. She also pointed out that part of the appeal of the compact is that providers holding a primary license in South Carolina can get the benefits of expedited licensing in other compact member states, too. Representative Lowe (R-Florence) also spoke in favor of the legislation, particularly mentioning telemedicine and the need for a provider licensed in another state to be able to provide their services and specialty in South Carolina via technology.
Both bills passed the House with only two members voting against. They will go to the Senate for review.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, H.5174, was introduced a few weeks ago, but has not gone through the committee process yet. Its sponsor, Representative Smith (R-Sumter), intended to recall the bill from committee to send it to the Senate with the other compacts by the crossover deadline of April 10, but faced opposition from Representative Hill and was unable to achieve unanimous consent to recall the legislation this week. We appreciate Representative Smith's effort and support for improving access to care in South Carolina!
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A Healthier State House Challenge Continues
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As the legislative session pushes into the last few weeks, the A Healthier State House challenge continues. Recently, the full South Carolina team including House and Senate members, legislative staff, and lobbyists competed against the same groups in Vermont over a fifteen-day period for the highest average daily steps. South Carolina was victorious in the competition with a cumulative average over the fifteen days of 153,906.
Representative Neal Collins (R-Pickens) spoke on the House floor about the challenge and commended all those who participated. He gave awards to the individuals with the highest average daily step total in each participation category. SCHA is proud of the participation of the legislators in setting an example of improving public health as elected officials. We are excited to welcome additional states to the challenge! |
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In Other News
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- Palliative Care Study Committee: H.4935 received third reading in the House Thursday and was sent to the Senate. The bill creates the South Carolina Palliative Care and Quality of Life Study Committee. The committee is intended to look at the palliative care programs in the state and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on opportunities for improvement in this area.
- Adult Protective Services: The Senate Finance Health and Human Services subcommittee put funding in their committee-approved budget for Adult Protective Services. The $2.6 million appropriated includes funding for emergency beds paid for by Medicaid for vulnerable adults who end up in the emergency room. This funding was not included in the House-passed version of the budget, but we will work to maintain the funding as the Senate completes its work and the two bodies conference on the budget. Thank you to Senator Alexander and other committee members for including this item in the budget.
- SCHA Legislative Luncheon: SCHA's 2018 legislative luncheon will be held on the State House grounds next Wednesday, April 11. Hospital executives and employees are invited to attend to speak to their elected officials about important healthcare issues. For more information, please contact Tammy Pope at tpope@scha.org.
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Chamber Action
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- H.4935 (Felder) - creates the "South Carolina Palliative Care and Quality of Life Study Committee" - received 3rd reading in House and sent to Senate
- S.1014 (Reese) - provides for the state interest to prevail if a conflict exists between the antitrust laws of the state and the exercise of power by a regional health service district, and defines the duties of a regional health services district - received 3rd reading in House
- H.4486 (Henderson): enacts the Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact Act to allow EMS personnel to work more easily across state lines - received 3rd reading in House
- H.4799 (Howard) - enacts the South Carolina Physical Therapy Licensure Compact to allow physical therapists licensed in a compact state to more easily become licensed in South Carolina - received 2nd reading in House
- H.3622 (Ryhal) - allows podiatrists to operate above the foot and on the ankle as long as they are board-certified or board-eligible by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery and have satisfied all requirements for credentials outlined by their facility - amended and received 3rd reading in House and sent to Senate
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April 6, 2018
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