SC Senate Passes Healthcare Compact
South Carolina could opt out of many provisions of President Obama’s healthcare plan and be allowed to regulate its own healthcare policy decisions under a bill passed by the state Senate Wednesday.
The bill, S.836, sponsored by Senator Larry Grooms and others, would make South Carolina a part of an interstate compact, with each state joining the compact gaining the right to bypass federal healthcare regulations and allow the states themselves to make those decisions.
On third reading, the Senate added language that keeps intact programs like Medicare.
Similar legislation has already been passed in six states and has been fast-tracked in four others.
Republican Senators said the bill was needed in response to the federal government’s increasing role in healthcare regulation.
“This is a chance to make Washington’s failure South Carolina’s success,” Senator Larry Grooms said. “I encourage other states that believe in the free market to join South Carolina in passing the Healthcare Compact.”
“We need solutions that improve outcomes while lowering costs- and solutions that protect promises made to our seniors,” according to Senator Mike Rose. “Today’s compromise accomplishes those goals.”
“Today is a great example of what happens when the Senate thoroughly debates an issue,” said Senator Jake Knotts. “Through discussions on the floor, we found a solution that works for our state.”
