South CarolinaSouth Carolina counts hospitals converted to rural emergency facilities as hospitals
South Carolina's health facility licensing law includes hospitals that convert to Rural Emergency Hospitals under the federal requirements named in the law.
What it does
Hospitals that convert to Rural Emergency Hospitals under the federal requirements named in the law count as hospitals under South Carolina's health facility licensing rules.
Argument forExplicitly including converted hospitals could help hospitals and state officials agree on how state licensing rules classify these facilities.
Argument againstUsing the same hospital label for converted facilities could make it harder for patients to understand differences in the care available.
More detail
South Carolina's definition of a hospital includes hospitals that convert to Rural Emergency Hospitals. The definition applies under South Carolina's health facility licensing law. The conversion must follow 42 C.F.R. Part 485, Subpart E, and Section 125 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The law took effect when the governor approved it on May 18, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 5Effective date 05/18/26Latest
- Jun 2Act No. 181
- May 18Signed By Governor Henry McMasterBecame Law
- May 14Ratified R 162
- Apr 24Read third time and enrolledTo Governor
- Apr 23Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
- Vote recorded Passage of Bill. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 23Roll call Yeas-108 Nays-0
- Apr 23Read second timeMinor
- Apr 21Recalled from Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
- Mar 31Referred to Committee on Medical, Military, Public and Municipal AffairsMinor
- Mar 31Introduced and read first timeMinor
- Mar 26Read third time and sent to HousePassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 25Roll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
- Vote recorded 2nd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Read second timeMinor
- Mar 19Committee report: Favorable Medical AffairsMinor
- Feb 4Referred to Committee on Medical AffairsMinor
- Feb 4Introduced and read first timeIntroduced
Healthcare