South Carolina Passes Most Significant Healthcare Reform of the Year

CHARLESTON, S.C. - May 17, 2023 - PRLog -- South Carolina, the state that has historically settled for incremental public policy change, just took a huge leap forward by unanimously passing the most extensive Certificate of Need (CON) repeal the United States has seen in 15 years. The new legislation eliminates CON requirements for all healthcare facilities, except for nursing homes, within the next three years (and immediately for nearly 70% of regulated facilities and services).  It also prohibits economic credentialing of doctors, a recent tactic used by hospitals to herd patients away from private practices to their employed physicians and facilities.

The new legislation will have a profound impact on healthcare access across the state, and particularly in rural communities, where the absence of competing facilities and services has been especially harmful. For decades, entry into the healthcare market has been limited by the CON requirement, a process that allowed current CON holders to block new applicants from even entering the playing field. The ultimate impact of CON laws was not on the blocked facilities, but on the patients whose healthcare options were limited by forces beyond their control. CON reform puts the power of choice back in the hands of South Carolina residents.

Dr. Marcelo Hochman, has long advocated for CON reform and other policy changes that reposition doctors and patients in charge of healthcare.

"I applaud the members of both South Carolina legislative chambers who put the power of choice back into the hands of patients. As a result, South Carolina has established itself as a leader in radically shifting healthcare by championing both freedom for doctors to provide the services for which they are medically qualified, and freedom for patients to choose where and from whom they receive their care. The impact this will have on the state's economic future is profound, making South Carolina an attractive state for continued and future healthcare innovation, advancement, and investment."
–Dr. Marcelo Hochman

South Carolina now stands as a trailblazer in opening the door for patients and physicians to regain health care freedom. Dr. Hochman believes it is truly a cause for celebration when the doctor-patient interest is bolstered over those of the incumbent "non-profit" hospital systems.

"The real goal of healthcare policy should not be maximizing a hospital's financial health. It should be to enable the doctor-patient relationship to flourish on the patients' terms."     –Dr. Marcelo Hochman

The founder of The Facial Surgery Center, Dr. Marcelo Hochman, is a double Board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, President of Independent Doctors of South Carolina, Past President of the Charleston County Medical Society, and provides pro-bono care for children with vascular anomalies. He champions legislative projects He can be reached directly at DrHochman@FacialSurgeryCenter.com. His publicist, Erin Thomas, can be reached at Erin@WhitterGroupLLC.com for questions and interview requests.