Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This week at the State House saw major movement on our priorities in both the House and Senate.
Budget
In the House, lawmakers spent the week on their first pass of the annual appropriations bill. Very few changes were made to the version previously approved by the Ways and Means Committee. Notably, there were no adjustments to Medicaid or other healthcare agency funding levels, which currently stand about $28 million short of the agencies’ combined $203 million budget request needed to maintain current operations. SCHA will continue advocating for full funding as the budget progresses.
Workforce funding remained a point of focus as well. While programs like SC WINS and the state’s nursing initiative are supported in the budget, SCHA is encouraging lawmakers to invest more broadly across other healthcare shortage areas, including allied health. With several steps remaining in the budget process, lawmakers are expected to revisit spending priorities after the Board of Economic Advisors issues its updated revenue forecast later this spring.
The HALO Act
In the Senate, several significant healthcare bills advanced. The HALO Act, a top priority for hospitals seeking to address rising workplace violence, cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senators adopted an amendment replacing the House language with the Senate’s version of the bill—one that currently does not include healthcare workers. This procedural move allows the Senate to send the bill directly back to the House without reopening the committee process. SCHA is urging continued grassroots engagement to ensure healthcare workers are ultimately included alongside law enforcement and EMS personnel.
Hallway Beds & REH Designation
The Senate Medical Affairs Committee also advanced two statutory updates affecting hospitals: one allowing the emergency use of hallway beds, and another updating the definition of a rural emergency hospital. SCHA’s Austin Smallwood testified in support of both measures.
Finally, MUSC was recognized as Hospital of the Week, with leaders visiting the State House to meet with lawmakers during budget discussions. Prisma Health will be featured in two weeks.
This week at the State House saw major movement on our priorities in both the House and Senate.
Budget
In the House, lawmakers spent the week on their first pass of the annual appropriations bill. Very few changes were made to the version previously approved by the Ways and Means Committee. Notably, there were no adjustments to Medicaid or other healthcare agency funding levels, which currently stand about $28 million short of the agencies’ combined $203 million budget request needed to maintain current operations. SCHA will continue advocating for full funding as the budget progresses.
Workforce funding remained a point of focus as well. While programs like SC WINS and the state’s nursing initiative are supported in the budget, SCHA is encouraging lawmakers to invest more broadly across other healthcare shortage areas, including allied health. With several steps remaining in the budget process, lawmakers are expected to revisit spending priorities after the Board of Economic Advisors issues its updated revenue forecast later this spring.
The HALO Act
In the Senate, several significant healthcare bills advanced. The HALO Act, a top priority for hospitals seeking to address rising workplace violence, cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee. Senators adopted an amendment replacing the House language with the Senate’s version of the bill—one that currently does not include healthcare workers. This procedural move allows the Senate to send the bill directly back to the House without reopening the committee process. SCHA is urging continued grassroots engagement to ensure healthcare workers are ultimately included alongside law enforcement and EMS personnel.
Hallway Beds & REH Designation
The Senate Medical Affairs Committee also advanced two statutory updates affecting hospitals: one allowing the emergency use of hallway beds, and another updating the definition of a rural emergency hospital. SCHA’s Austin Smallwood testified in support of both measures.
Finally, MUSC was recognized as Hospital of the Week, with leaders visiting the State House to meet with lawmakers during budget discussions. Prisma Health will be featured in two weeks.
