The House of Representatives passed H.4803, cannabis oil to help children. Representative Horne explained the committee amendment. Representative Tallon expressed concern over the quality of the oil. Horne and Tallon discussed production standards and quality oil. Horne said, “It will do more harm to the children of South Carolina if they do not get this […]
The Senate Medical Affairs committee gave a favorable as amended report Thursday to S.919, Medicaid fraud. The bill changes the penalties for Medicaid fraud. The subcommittee clarified the definition of “provider.” Senator Alexander noted that the Department of Health and Human Services has a very good fraud unit. He said, “They have done great work
The House 3M IV subcommittee gave a favorable report to S.1036 Wednesday. This bill addresses requirements concerning the varying levels of sedation to be administered to dental patients. Dr. Jim Mercer of Columbia spoke on behalf of the bill and said it protects the public. The legislation references national dental standards. It was noted that
The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Insurance subcommittee met Wednesday and gave a favorable as amended report to S.569, the Competitive Insurance Act. This bill is a response to the 2007 Omnibus Insurance Reform. It would require the Department of Insurance to develop a new catastrophe model specific to South Carolina for insurers to use
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Dr. Pat O’Neal with the Department of Public Health (DPH) was successful in pushing SB 342 through the system. It permits DPH to notify a patient’s physician when records indicate that a patient has fallen out of treatment for HIV. O’Neal testified on both sides of the Capitol that keeping HIV-positive patients in treatment can
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In recent years, legislators have wrestled with the issue of Bariatric Surgery (obesity correction), which was removed from the coverages of the State Health Benefits Plan about four years ago. Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) finally got HB 511 to the finish line in the form of a two-year pilot program that includes three types of
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HB 965 passed — providing “amnesty” in drug overdose cases, allowing someone to transport a person to the emergency room without facing arrest. Language also passed allowing EMTs and others to carry and administer opioid antagonists that are designed to counter some drug overdoses. STATES: Georgia (2014)
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Perhaps no two bills were involved in more parliamentary maneuvering than HB 885 and SB 397. HB 885 would have allowed limited use of liquid extracts from marijuana for the treatment of seizure disorders, primarily in children, and was strongly favored by the House. SB 397 would have required insurance companies to provide coverage for
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A hospital tour can help you accomplish many things. We are a visual society. Having a lawmaker or candidate tour the hospital, and see what you and your co-workers do every day, is compelling and educational. Schedule the tour at a time and place where multiple employees will have the ability to meet him/her. Include
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Calling legislators is very effective, particularly in the days just before they are scheduled to take action or vote on the issue. To prepare for the conversation, jot down a few notes containing the key points you want to make, and refer to the notes during your call. Unless you know the elected official, you
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