South Carolina lawmakers are taking sweeping action to consolidate, with the goal to hopefully improve the delivery of health care services in the state.
The SC Senate on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 overwhelmingly gave final approval to a bill that restructures the giant Department of Health and Environmental Control, known as DHEC, by combining the state agency’s public health functions with those of five other health care agencies.
The bill also creates a separate environmental division, which currently is a part of DHEC.
“It’s all about improving healthcare outcomes for South Carolinians,” Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, told SC Public Radio.
“The bill brings South Carolina’s delivery of public health services from the 20th century to the 21st century,” David added.
If it becomes law, the measure calls for the following agencies to join with DHEC’s Division of Public Health: Commission on Aging, Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Services, Disability Services, Health and Human Services, and Mental Health.
A new cabinet-level secretary, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, would run the new Executive Office of Health and Policy.
For years, many state leaders have maintained that South Carolina’s delivery of health care and human services have been too fractured with little planning and cooperation among the involved agencies.
The Senate approved bill was two years in the making.
It followed dozens of public hearings and subcommittee meetings. It now goes to the S.C. House of Representatives where a similar bill is pending.
Restructuring DHEC and the state’s healthcare services is one of the top priorities in this year’s General Assembly session.
