SCMA’s In-Person Town Hall Meeting will convene on Saturday, April 26 at the Pastides Alumni Center in Columbia, SC. The forum gives physicians from across the state an opportunity to gather as a professional group to present and debate policies that affect the practice of medicine and the delivery of patient care in South Carolina.

ABOUT THE TOWN HALLS AND LEGISLATIVE DELEGATE COMMITTEE

For many years, SCMA has invited policy suggestions from members and County Chapters during the Annual Meeting. Delegates from these chapters and Specialty Societies would gather to discuss, debate, and vote on submitted policies. However, with the increasing demands on physicians' time, fewer members can commit to the traditional three-day policy discussion process. To address this, we’re expanding opportunities for all interested members—not just delegates—and introducing a more flexible, year-round approach to policy discussions.

What is a Town Hall, and when are they held?

• A Town Hall is an open forum for SCMA members to discuss and propose policy changes for healthcare in South Carolina.
• While we will still host an in-person Town Hall at the Annual Meeting, to increase engagement and flexibility, SCMA is adding Virtual Town Halls each year, giving members more opportunities to shape the future of healthcare policy.
• At the in-person Town Hall on April 26, 2025, we will also provide updates on SCMA’s ongoing policy efforts and recent legal changes.

Is the House of Delegates still active?

• No. The Legislative Delegate Committee (LDC), also appointed by County Chapters and Specialty Societies, takes the place of the House of Delegates. The LDC listens to proposed policies and makes recommendations to the SCMA Board of Trustees (BOT).
• Now all SCMA members will have access to proposed policies in advance of the Town Halls and can submit written comments or sign up to speak at the meetings.
• County Chapters submit members for both the LDC and SCMA BOT ensuring that our county members have representation.

How does the Policy Process work?

• SCMA members may submit policy ideas for consideration. The LDC will listen, vet, and create formal recommendations for policy to send to the SCMA Board of Trustees to consider.
• The SCMA Board of Trustees will consider all policy submissions from the LDC and make a final decision.
• The Board has always played an essential role in reviewing policy and prioritizing action items to ensure effective advocacy and policy action.  Now, with a small SCMA team—including just one full-time and one contract lobbyist—the Board of Trustees will review policy recommendations and make final decisions to ensure that SCMA's resources are directed toward issues that best can benefit the majority of members.

Questions? Please email info@scmedical.org

Prior to the meeting, SCMA will send out an email requesting new policy proposals.

Policy Proposals should pertain to:

1. Physicians
2. The Practice of Medicine
3. Patient Care
4. Healthcare
5. South Carolina (not federal) Law

The Process after submitting a Policy Proposal is as follows:

1. Physician authors will be invited to discuss their submitted Policy Proposals at the next SC Medical Association Town Hall.
2. The SCMA will circulate submitted Policy Proposals with the author’s name to SC Medical Association members prior to the Town Hall. 
3. To ensure all members receive Policy Proposals with sufficient time to review in advance of Town Halls, Policy Proposals submitted less than two weeks in advance of a Town Hall will be discussed and considered at the next scheduled Town Hall.
4. SC Medical Association member physicians may submit comments in writing or sign up to speak at the Town Hall about any Policy Proposal.