Healthcare

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-230 SO AS TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM COMPENSATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS PROVIDING PERSONAL CARE SERVICES THROUGH MEDICAID HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE PROVIDERS AND TO PROVIDE FOR PHASED IN UPWARD ADJUSTMENTS TO THE COMPENSATION PAID; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING BY PROVIDER AGENCIES TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE CERTAIN ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TO ADDRESS POSSIBLE INACCURACIES OR FRAUD.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 63-5-340, RELATING TO RIGHTS OF MINORS SIXTEEN YEARS OR OLDER TO CONSENT TO HEALTH SERVICES ESSENTIAL TO THEIR LIFE OR HEALTH, SO AS TO PROVIDE PARENTS HAVE THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO DIRECT THE UPBRINGING, EDUCATION, AND CARE OF THEIR MINOR CHILDREN, TO PROVIDE THESE RIGHTS EXTEND TO HEALTHCARE DECISIONS CONCERNING THE MINORS AND ACCESS TO THEIR MEDICAL RECORDS, AND TO PROVIDE THE STATE MAY NOT SUBSTANTIALLY BURDEN THESE RIGHTS EXCEPT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY AMENDING SECTION 63-5-350, RELATING TO HEALTH SERVICES THAT MAY BE RENDERED TO MINORS WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS MUST OBTAIN PARENTAL CONSENT BEFORE PROCURING, PROVIDING, OR RENDERING HEALTHCARE FOR A MINOR EXCEPT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROHIBIT THE ENCOURAGEMENT OR COERCION OF MINORS TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION FROM A PARENT ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE CHILD, TO PROVIDE PARENTS MAY ASSERT PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT AS CLAIMS OR DEFENSES IN CERTAIN JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS SUBJECT TO A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, TO PROVIDE REMEDIES, TO PROVIDE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY BRING ACTIONS TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 63-5-370 RELATING TO CONSENT NOT SUBJECT TO DISAFFIRMANCE.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-36-330, RELATING IN PART TO A STATEWIDE PLAN ON ADDRESSING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE USE OF CERTAIN DATA IN THE STATEWIDE PLAN AND TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDING.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-285 SO AS TO PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS MUST PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR LACTATION CONSULTING BY CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTANTS, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-286 SO AS TO PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS MUST PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES BY CERTIFIED DOULAS, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-230 SO AS TO PROVIDE MEDICAID HEALTH PLANS MUST PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTING BY CERTIFIED LACTATION CONSULTANTS, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-230 SO AS TO PROVIDE MEDICAID HEALTH PLANS MUST PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR DOULA SERVICES BY CERTIFIED DOULAS, AND TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; AND TO SPECIFY THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT APPLY TO EVERY MEDICAID HEALTH PLAN, EVERY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE CONTRACT, AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL EXPENSE INSURANCE POLICY, PLAN, OR GROUP POLICY DELIVERED, ISSUED FOR DELIVERY, OR RENEWED IN THIS STATE ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2026.

This joint resolution, S 596, approves specific regulations (Document Number 5315) from the Department of Social Services. These regulations concern supplemental benefits for adoption and medical assistance. The bill aims to support adoption laws by making public supplemental benefits available for children certified by the Department of Social Services as needing assistance to ensure their adoption. It also seeks to amend existing regulations to promote compliance with statutory authority and further the well-being of children in the state's foster care system.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT IN ADDITION TO THE MATTERS WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AFTER MAY 8, 2025, PURSUANT TO THE SINE DIE RESOLUTION FOR THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION AS PASSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, H. 4262 RELATING TO RESTRICTING, REGULATING, OR PROHIBITING MRNA GENE THERAPIES ALSO MAY BE INTRODUCED, RECEIVED, AND CONSIDERED BY EACH BODY OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRIOR TO SINE DIE ADJOURNMENT INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CONCURRENCE, NONCONCURRENCE, AND APPOINTMENT OF CONFEREES; RECEIPT, CONSIDERATION, AND DISPOSITION OF CONFERENCE AND FREE CONFERENCE REPORTS; AND RECEIPT, CONSIDERATION, AND DISPOSITION OF ANY VETOES, IF APPLICABLE.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-7-3450, RELATING TO RESOLUTION OF A HOSPITAL PATIENT'S PERSONAL MEDICAL CARE CONCERNS, SO AS TO REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE A LIST OF AGENCIES TO THE PATIENT'S FAMILY TO WHICH COMPLAINTS ABOUT A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER OR FACILITY MAY BE REPORTED.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 19 TO TITLE 37 SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE REPORTING OF MEDICAL DEBT INFORMATION AND CERTAIN OTHER INFORMATION THAT IS NOT RELEVANT TO THE CREDIT OR PAYMENT HISTORY OF A CONSUMER, TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS, TO PROVIDE MEANS FOR INVESTIGATING VIOLATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS.

H 4042 would allow South Carolinians to purchase ivermectin tablets without a prescription or pharmacist consultation. The bill amends state law to authorize over-the-counter sales of ivermectin tablets, removing current requirements for medical authorization. This change would directly affect consumers seeking to buy ivermectin for personal use, as it eliminates the need for a doctor's order or pharmacy interaction. The bill is currently in committee referral after its introduction on February 19, 2025.

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-6-1140, RELATING TO INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS, SO AS TO ALLOW A DEDUCTION OF MEDICAL EXPENSES INCURRRED ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON FOR THE TREATMENT OR CARE FOR DEMENTIA.