Senators MALLOY and DAVIS proposed the following amendment (290R009.SP.TD):
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered new SECTION to read:
/ SECTION__. (A) There is created the Certificate of Need Study committee to examine the effect of the repeal of the Certificate of Need program on the quality and quantity of access to healthcare in rural portions of South Carolina. For the purposes of the study committee, "rural" means those areas considered "rural" by the United States Census Bureau, using factors including, but not limited to, population and population density.
(B) (1) The study committee shall be composed of six members to include three members of the Senate, as appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members of the House of Representatives, as appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2) The study committee shall meet as soon as practicable to organize and elect a co-chairman from the Senate and the House of Representatives. The co-chairmen shall be elected by a majority vote of the study committee members.
(3) The study committee shall consult with a non-voting advisory board as needed. The non-voting advisory board shall include on e representative from the South Carolina Hospital Association, the South Carolina Medical Association, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
(C) (1)The study committee shall:
(a)examine the effect that the repeal of the Certificate of Need program has on the quality and quantity of access to healthcare in rural portions of the state;
(b)prepare a report of its work and findings to the General Assembly that may include recommendations for action on any of the rural healthcare access measures studied. Recommendations may include legislative, regulatory, or policy changes to address any identified trends associated with the decrease in the quality and quantity of access to healthcare in the rural portions of the state. A recommendation for action shall be based upon a finding by a majority of the voting members that one or more measures would promote the quality and quantity of healthcare access to rural areas; and
(c)draft any recommended legislation.
(2) The study committee shall provide a report to the General Assembly of its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2024. The study committee shall dissolve upon providing its report to the General Assembly, or on January 1, 2024, whichever occurs first.
(D) The study committee may obtain data or other information it deems necessary from state agencies that is relevant to the purposes of the study committee, including from the Department of Health and Environmental Control, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Employment and Workforce. Agencies are required to respond promptly and provide requested information.
(E) The Senate Medical Affairs Committee and the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Committee shall provide staff for the study committee. /