South Carolina Legislative Report - December 7, 2012
December 7, 2012
On the Floor
House of Representatives – Organizational Session
This week the House of Representative met in Columbia to organize, elect leadership and make committee assignments for the 2013-2014 legislative session which will begin on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. Bobby Harrell (R- Charleston) was reelected Speaker of the House, Bruce Bannister (R-Greenville) was elected as the Majority Leader and Gary Simrill (R-York) is the Assistant Majority Leader. Harry Ott (D-Orangeburg) will continue to serve as the Minority Leader.
The Speaker of the House also made committee assignments and each committee held an organizational meeting to elect committee leadership. The full list of new committee assignments can be viewed by clicking the link below.
In Committee
DHHS Director Gives Medicaid Report
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Director, Tony Keck, recently gave a presentation to the Senate Medical Affairs Committee on the state of Medicaid in the state and the Affordable Care Act. Director Keck made the case that the state was better off not accepting the Medicaid expansion provided in the federal reform law, arguing the cost/benefit and stating that the state should not be in a rush to accept the mandates when it could wait for a few years to see how it affects other states. Additionally, Director Keck reemphasized that Governor Haley had declined to create a state-based healthcare exchange, opting to default to a federally run program.
To view the presentation to the Senate Medical Affairs Committee, click here.
In addition, the South Carolina Hospital Association released the following study regarding the economic impact of the Affordable Care Act this week. The study outlines the economic benefit to the state and healthcare industry that could be realized under federal reforms. To view the study click here.
Important Dates
Prefiled Legislation
House will prefile legislation on: December 11th and 18th
Senate will prefile legislation on: December 13th and 18th
Meetings
- Tuesday, December 11
- 10:00 am – Gressette, Room 209 – Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children Retreat
- Thursday, December 13
- 1:30 pm – Blatt, Room 305 – Ways and Means Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice Subcommittee
In the News
Jim DeMint Resigns Senate Seat
This week Senator Jim DeMint announced that he would resign his seat, effective in January, to take the helm of the Heritage Foundation. DeMint’s term was not up until 2016. Governor Haley will appoint a replacement until an election can be held in 2014. Speculation on who the Governor will select has run rampant.