Americans for Prosperity Praises Senate Action to Repeal Certificate of Need Laws

Jan 12, 2023 by AFP

Medical Affairs Committee sends CON repeal to full Senate

COLUMBIA, SC — Americans for Prosperity – South Carolina praised the Senate Medical Affairs Committee for passing S.164, to repeal certificate of need (CON) regulations for most healthcare facilities. The full Senate will now consider the bill.

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:

“Certificate of need laws hold back health care for patients. These burdensome regulations make it near impossible to open a new hospital or offer new services. This leaves South Carolinians, particularly those in rural areas, without the care they need. I am glad to see this first step and plan to stay engaged with lawmakers as the repeal works it way though the legislature.”