A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "PATIENTS' RIGHT TO TRANSPARENCY AND TIMELY ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-10 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-20 SO AS TO EXCLUDE CERTAIN HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FROM PREAUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS WHO MEET A NINETY PERCENT THRESHOLD OF PREAUTHORIZATION REQUESTS FOR MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS DURING A PARTICULAR TIME PERIOD; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-30 SO AS TO REQUIRE A FAIR AND TRANSPARENT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION PROCESS FOR MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-40 SO AS TO ESTABLISH TIMELINES FOR PREAUTHORIZATION DECISIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-50 SO AS TO PROHIBIT ONGOING PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PATIENTS LIVING WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS AFTER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-60 SO AS TO PROHIBIT INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM SWITCHING PHARMACEUTICALS DURING A POLICY YEAR; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-70 SO AS TO ALLOW FOR STEP THERAPY EXCEPTIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-80 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT ONCE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION IS GRANTED, HEALTH CARRIERS MUST PAY FOR THE SERVICE WITH EXCEPTIONS; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-90 SO AS TO REQUIRE CONTINUITY OF CARE WHEN A PATIENT CHANGES INSURANCE POLICIES; BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-100 SO AS TO REQUIRE CERTAIN FILINGS FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR TRANSPARENCY CONCERNING APPROVAL AND DENIAL RATES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 44-116-110 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE CHAPTER.
Sen. Overture Walker
Sponsored bills
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-21-620, RELATING TO TAX RATES ON PRODUCTS CONTAINING TOBACCO, SO AS TO TAX CIGARETTES FOR HEATING ONE AND ONE-QUARTER MILLS ON EACH CIGARETTE.
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MAJOR JAMES CAPERS JR., A NATIVE OF BISHOPVILLE, FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM AND LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS AND TO RESPECTFULLY URGE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO AWARD MAJOR CAPERS THE MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS ACTIONS IN VIETNAM.
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE RIVERBANKS BOTANICAL GARDEN ON THE OCCASION OF ITS THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND ITS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-36-2120, RELATING TO SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO EXEMPT CAPITAL EQUIPMENT PURCHASED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, COUNTIES, OR MUNICIPALITIES FOR USE ON CAPITAL PROJECTS.
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE THE SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTRY COMMISSION FOR THE CRUCIAL ROLE THEY PLAY IN PREVENTING WILDFIRES, SAFEGUARDING COMMUNITIES, PROTECTING WILDLIFE HABITATS, AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY FOREST ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE, AND TO APPLAUD THEIR RESPONSE TO THE CAROLINA FOREST WILDFIRES, WHICH ULTIMATELY PREVENTED DAMAGE TO CITIZENS, HOMES, BUSINESSES, AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN HORRY COUNTY.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-37-220, RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY OF A NONPROFIT HOUSING CORPORATION ONLY APPLIES TO THE PERCENTAGE OF PROPERTY THAT EQUALS THE CORPORATION'S OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY, TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION, AND TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF DR. CHARLIE W. TIMMERMAN SR. AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-18-130 SO AS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS FOUND TO BE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS ARE ENTITLED TO TAKE CERTAIN ASSESSMENTS IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE AND MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS ASSESSMENTS OTHERWISE REQUIRED UNDER THE EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 1-1-698, RELATING TO EXCEPTIONS TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST USE OF LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH, SO AS TO MAKE A CONFORMING CHANGE.
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO HONOR CANCER PATIENTS, SURVIVORS, AND THEIR FAMILIES, TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LOST TO CANCER, AND TO RECOGNIZE FEBRUARY 26, 2025 AS "SUITS AND SNEAKERS DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.