Cover SC Launches with Call for Legislature to Enact Medicaid Expansion
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today, GOP leaders, North Carolina legislators Donny Lambeth and Kevin Corbin, joined health advocates along with business and faith leaders to hold a press conference at the South Carolina State House. The event called on the South Carolina Legislature to enact Medicaid expansion and announced the launch of Cover SC, a new initiative aimed at closing the health insurance gap in the state.
“North Carolina moved wisely and methodically in developing an approach that fits our state, its priorities and our people,” said Representative Donny Lambeth, a recognized leader in healthcare reform. “South Carolina and other states must develop their own tailored solutions. I am pleased to be of service to you in this process. I can honestly say that, without question, we in North Carolina are very proud of the way in which we approached – and ultimately dealt with – the life-and-death question of health insurance coverage.”
Senator Kevin Corbin also shared his success story from North Carolina: “When I am not in the NC legislature, I own and operate an insurance company in the Western part of NC, and we actually have an office in Seneca, South Carolina. As an insurance agent, I kept seeing people come to me that fell into the gap — they were working people, families, and I kept having to break the news to them that there wasn’t an affordable option for their insurance. That is when we started working to expand Medicaid in North Carolina, to help working families. In my office in Seneca, I am still having to have those hard conversations with working people in South Carolina. If there is something I can do to help the SC legislature move toward a solution to close the health insurance gap that works best for SC, I want to do that.”
Cover SC aims to close the health insurance gap in South Carolina, which would provide health coverage to over 340,000 residents, many of whom earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance. Cover SC is built on five core principles: affordability, accountability, accessibility, family financial independence, and fostering a healthy economy. Through these efforts, Cover SC touts an increase of 29,000 new jobs in South Carolina, particularly in rural areas, and points out improved healthcare outcomes in the 40 states that have expanded Medicaid.
According to a 2021 AARP poll, 8 in 10 South Carolina voters support Medicaid expansion, including 69% of Republican voters. Expanding Medicaid would provide health insurance to over 340,000 South Carolinians, many of whom are currently uninsured, including veterans, low-wage workers, and rural residents.
Key points discussed during the conference include:
- Medicaid expansion would reduce uncompensated care costs, helping struggling rural hospitals stay open.
- The policy would extend health care coverage to those falling into the coverage gap, many of whom face high medical costs due to chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
- Medicaid expansion has been linked to 12% reduction in mortality for older adults by year 4 for those ages 55-64.
“Thanks to Governor McMaster and our legislative leaders, SC punches above its weight in economic expansion,” says Cover SC Chair Teresa Arnold. “Now, Medicaid Expansion gives us billions in incentives to invest in our work force. There is no action we can take today that will have as much of an immediately powerful and positive impact on our state than Medicaid Expansion.”
The speakers urged the South Carolina Legislature to prioritize this issue during the upcoming session, noting the overwhelming public support and the potential for substantial economic and health gains for the state.
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About Cover SC
Cover SC is a coalition of over 180+ South Carolina nonprofits, healthcare organizations, community partners, and individuals that have banded together to work on closing the coverage gap in South Carolina. Through a united community effort, the coalition hopes to work together to find a legislative solution to bring affordable, quality healthcare to 340,000 South Carolinians.
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.