November 13, 2024
South Carolina Medical Association Announces 2025 Policy Priorities
Nina Jackson
njackson@scmedical.org
(803) 237-3148
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
South Carolina Medical Association Announces 2025 Policy Priorities
New Advocacy Agenda Based on Input From Over 6,000 Physician Members
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA) has announced its 2025 policy priorities, centering around the expansion of healthcare access in rural areas and reducing costs through measures like insurance reform and preserving physician independence. The advocacy agenda, which is based on input from more than 6,000 physicians, residents and medical students, is detailed at SCMA’s new “Legislative Priorities” page.
“With two months until the start of the 2025 legislative session, we can say with certainty that the state of the South Carolina healthcare industry is strong,” said SCMA CEO Richele Taylor. “Last session, SCMA and its allies successfully repealed the certificate of need, which will soon result in more access, lower costs and better care. Yet, there is still work to be done to ensure that patients in rural and underserved areas get the care they need. SCMA is poised to move the ball forward in 2025 when it comes to helping physicians and patients achieve better health outcomes.”
SCMA will focus its advocacy efforts in 2025 and beyond on the following critical issue areas.
- Expanding Access - South Carolina can bolster efforts to extend healthcare access by: increasing reimbursement rates to better assist rural physicians; funding new mobile units and care sites; creating pipeline programs to help students in underserved areas pursue healthcare professions; continuing to emphasize telehealth; and increasing funding for the Rural Incentive Grant Program and the South Carolina Rural Practice Loan Forgiveness Program.
- Reducing Costs - South Carolina can help reduce healthcare costs by: reforming the prior authorization process, which places unnecessary hurdles between patients and life-saving care; disallowing copay accumulators, which cause out-of-pocket bills to be paid twice; and regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which drive up the cost of generic drugs. SCMA is also committed to helping more physicians become and remain independent.
- Workforce Development - SCMA supports additional investment in graduate medical education to address the shortage in physician workforce, keeping more doctors in South Carolina while increasing healthcare access in the process.
- Patient Choice - SCMA supports legislation to eliminate the use of non-compete agreements for physicians, preserving patients’ rights to always choose their provider of choice.
- Physician Health and Well-Being - SCMA supports legislation to allow physicians and other healthcare professionals to seek the mental health care and support services they need to prevent burnout without fear of reporting requirements or inappropriate access to their mental health records.
For more information on SCMA’s policy agenda, please visit: https://www.scmedical.org/advocacy/legislative-priorities/.
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About South Carolina Medical Association
Founded in 1848, the South Carolina Medical Association is the premier organization for South Carolina physicians of every specialty and geographic location across the state. Its purpose is to advocate for quality medical care and good health on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina, as well as to represent the physician voice — regardless of their practice setting.
