COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – New data from The George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health highlights how Medicaid expansion would boost health outcomes and strengthen the economy across all 46 counties in South Carolina. These findings are informed by an economic impact analysis that was commissioned by Cover SC to study how Medicaid expansion would affect the state’s bottom line from 2026-2028. According to the research, Medicaid expansion is projected to result in large-scale economic growth in South Carolina. If the state were to expand Medicaid in 2026, South Carolina would see the creation of nearly 20,000 new jobs over the first three years of Medicaid expansion. On a yearly average, South Carolina would also see a $4.04 billion increase in economic output and a $100 million rise in county and state tax revenue.
Read the full economic impact report here: https://www.coversc.org/economic-report/
Among the new jobs created through Medicaid expansion, one third would be in business sectors outside of the health care industry. Job growth is projected to include more than 10,000 new jobs across industries such as construction, real estate, retail, agriculture, manufacturing, and more.
The economic benefits of Medicaid expansion would be felt in every corner of the state, reducing the burden of medical debt and helping our workforce get the care they need.
• In Oconee County, residents would benefit from $35.7 million in federal funds and generate an additional $54.3 million in economic output.
• In Sumter County, South Carolinians would see an influx of $62.4 million in federal funds and $102.7 million in additional economic output.
• Lastly, in Beaufort County, residents would benefit from $51.6 million in federal funds and $83.1 million in additional economic output.
“Multiple reports have already shown that Medicaid expansion would increase health care coverage and improve health outcomes for South Carolinians,” said Teresa Arnold, Cover SC Coalition Chair. “This new economic analysis now equips us with updated data that projects the robust economic impact of expansion to our state. As advocates on the frontline of this fight, it is up to us to equip lawmakers with timely and comprehensive data to help them see the big picture.”
Closing the coverage gap would also address the major issue of medical debt. Nationally, medical debt is now larger than all other sources of debt combined - and is a serious financial drain on South Carolinians. South Carolina has the 2nd worst medical debt burden of any state in the country. Closing the Medicaid coverage gap would have a significant impact on reducing medical debt for South Carolina’s citizens and families.
Read the full economic impact report here: https://www.coversc.org/economic-report/