care Archives - SC Senate Republican Caucus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2023

SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE MAJORITY LEADER SHANE MASSEY RELEASES STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF HEARTBEAT BILL

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the State Senate passed S. 474, a bill to prohibit the performance of abortions at the point the heartbeat of an unborn child is detectable, approximately six weeks into a pregnancy. This important legislation includes exceptions in cases of rape, incest, medical emergency, or fatal fetal anomaly.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey issued the following statement:

“Just last month, the Supreme Court of South Carolina issued a decision to strike down the strongest pro-life bill ever passed by the General Assembly, the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act of 2021.

As a consequence, abortion is now legal in South Carolina through five months of pregnancy. While neighboring states have responded to the Dobbs decision with strong pro-life laws, South Carolina is becoming an abortion destination. In January, over one thousand abortions were performed inside the State, putting South Carolina on a trajectory to more than double its annual abortion numbers.

Fortunately, the State Senate adopted S. 474 today. This bill prohibits abortions at the point an unborn child’s heartbeat is detectable. Senate Republicans took time to read the opinions offered by the justices, and this bill incorporates our responses to the concerns they raised. I am confident that we have constructed this bill in such a manner that protects the unborn and withstands constitutional scrutiny.

I pray the South Carolina House of Representatives passes this bill quickly to help save thousands of lives in our State.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2023

SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE PASSES HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Yesterday, the South Carolina Senate, under Republican leadership, overwhelmingly adopted S. 164, a bill to end the certification of need requirements for healthcare facilities. The bill, which received bipartisan support, aims to increase access to healthcare and decrease the cost of treatment.

“With this vote, South Carolinians are one step closer to greater access to more and better healthcare options, especially in rural areas of our State,” Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said. “In bipartisan fashion, Senators voted to end the outdated Certificate of Need program, thereby eliminating the need to ask the government for permission to open a healthcare facility or purchase equipment. The State should not be in the business of determining who can be in the healthcare business. More facilities and better equipment will enable more opportunities for treatment and lower costs of care. We look forward to working with the House of Representatives to send this important reform to Governor McMaster as soon as possible.”

The adoption of S. 164, by Senator Climer of York County, marks the second time the Senate has voted for a repeal of the Certificate of Need (CON) program, sending a very similar bill to the House last year. This session, due to the popularity of the legislation, the bill moved quickly out of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee and secured a priority position on the calendar.

“S. 164 will help treat a sick regulatory system that’s hindered South Carolinians access to healthcare. Getting rid of bureaucratic red tape means better health outcomes for this generation,” said Danny Verdin, Chairman of the Medical Affairs Committee.

“Twelve states have repealed their CON laws and the effect is clear and irrefutable: healthcare access and quality increases and costs decrease, especially in rural areas,” Senator Tom Davis, who advocated for the bill on the floor of the Senate, added. “For this reason, both the Obama and the Trump administrations urged states to repeal CON laws that give hospitals a monopoly over healthcare.”

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PRESS RELEASE: South Carolina Senate Passes Heartbeat Bill

PRESS RELEASE: South Carolina Senate Passes Healthcare Reform Bill