Americans for Prosperity Applauds Senate for Passing Repeal of Certificate of Need Laws

Feb 2, 2023 by AFP

“Now we will focus our attention on ensuring the House takes action to give patients more options at affordable prices.”

COLUMBIA, SC — Americans for Prosperity – South Carolina applauded the Senate for passing S.164 by an overwhelming vote of 30 to 6. The bill will repeal certificate of need (CON) regulations for most healthcare facilities.

CON laws make it difficult to open new medical facilities. A 2021 study found the number of hospitals in South Carolina could increase from 82 to 116, without CON. In rural areas, nine new hospitals could open.

AFP-SC State Director Candace Carroll released the following statement:

“I am thrilled to see the Senate once again pass a full repeal of our state’s certificate of need laws. Without certificate of need laws, it will be easier to add additional beds for mental health or substance abuse treatment, for an OB-GYN to open an office in a county without one, or for a doctor to purchase a new MRI machine. I am hopeful that South Carolinians will soon have an easier time accessing the care they need close to home. Now we will focus our attention on ensuring the House takes action to give patients more options at affordable prices.”

Last week, AFP-SC launched a six-figure ad campaign urging the repeal of CoN laws.