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 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.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-140-10 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A WOMAN MAY HAVE AN ABORTION PRIOR TO THE VIABILITY OF HER EMBRYO OR FETUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A WOMAN MAY HAVE AN ABORTION AFTER THE VIABILITY OF HER FETUS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH A MINOR MAY HAVE AN ABORTION, TO PROVIDE THAT ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND CONTRACEPTIVES SHALL BE AVAILABLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA, TO PROVIDE THAT PREGNANT WOMEN ARE ENTITLED TO QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL HEALTHCARE, AND TO EXPAND MEDICAID TO FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL HEALTHCARE; BY AMENDING SECTION 40-47-37, RELATING TO THE PRACTICE OF TELEMEDICINE, SO AS TO PERMIT DOCTORS TO PRESCRIBE ABORTION INDUCING DRUGS VIA TELEMEDICINE; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-48 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES THAT PROVIDE PREGNANCY AND CHILD BIRTH COVERAGE MUST ALSO OFFER COVERAGE FOR ABORTIONS AND RELATED SERVICES AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES INTENDED TO PERMANENTLY PREVENT PREGNANCY INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TUBAL LIGATION, HYSTERECTOMY, AND VASECTOMY; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-49 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES MUST OFFER COVERAGE FOR ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-32-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION MEANS AGE APPROPRIATE, UNBIASED, COMPREHENSIVE, AND MEDICALLY ACCURATE INSTRUCTION, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE THAT ABSTINENCE EDUCATION CAN BE TAUGHT BUT NOT TAUGHT AS THE PRIMARY OR ONLY WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-32-10, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ABSTINENCE FROM SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE CAN BE ENCOURAGED AS A WAY TO PREVENT PREGNANCY; AND TO REPEAL CHAPTER 41, TITLE 44 OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE, RELATING TO ABORTION.
H 3948 increases the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for Medicaid-eligible nursing home residents in South Carolina, which covers personal expenses like clothing, toiletries, and small purchases. Starting January 1, 2025, the allowance will adjust annually based on the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (capped at federal limits) and must be at least $100 per month. The bill also clarifies that accrued PNA amounts for residents as of June 1, 2024, will not count as assets during their stay, and prohibits using the allowance for Medicaid-covered items like incontinence supplies or food. This directly affects nursing home residents qualifying for Medicaid and ensures the allowance remains accessible for non-medical personal needs.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 38-71-2200, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE "LOW-VOLUME PHARMACY"; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-2270 SO AS TO RESTRICT PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGERS FROM REIMBURSEMENT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-71-2230, RELATING TO PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER PROHIBITIONS, SO AS TO PROHIBIT ADDITIONAL ACTIONS AND TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON CLAIMS RECONCILIATION ACTIVITIES; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-71-2260, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION AND APPLICATION, SO AS TO REMOVE ANTISTEERING PROVISIONS; BY AMENDING SECTION 38-71-2350, RELATING TO APPLICATION AND EXCEPTIONS, SO AS TO REMOVE A REFERENCE TO MEDICAID; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-2280 SO AS TO PERMIT THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO ASSUME DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAID PHARMACY SERVICES; BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-2290 SO AS TO EMPOWER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO BRING AN ACTION IN THE NAME OF THE STATE AGAINST SOMEONE ENGAGING IN UNLAWFUL ACTS PURSUANT TO THIS ACT; AND BY REPEALING SECTION 38-71-2240 RELATING TO PLACEMENT OF DRUGS ON THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE COST LIST.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 44-6-120 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, AN ADULT SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER WHOSE INCOME IS AT OR BELOW ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, WITH A FIVE PERCENT INCOME DISREGARD, IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORABLE CARE ACT, AND AMENDMENTS TO THAT ACT.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 145 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO ALLOW REIMBURSEMENT FOR DOULA SERVICES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND TO REQUIRE COVERAGE OF SUCH SERVICES THROUGH PRIVATE INSURANCE AND MEDICAID, WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO SET FORTH CRITERIA FOR MEDICAID COVERAGE OF DOULA SERVICES; TO CREATE A SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR DOULAS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DOULA CERTIFICATION ORGANIZATION AND TO REQUIRE THE ORGANIZATION TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS FOR STATEWIDE CERTIFICATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE REGISTRY FOR CERTIFIED DOULAS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 38-71-134 SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN INSURANCE CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE SERVICES OF PERINATAL DOULAS AND TO REQUIRE UTILIZATION REPORTING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
