SC Senate Democrats Hold Press Conference Calling For Medicaid Expansion

Columbia, SC - South Carolina Senate Democrats, including Senator Kevin Johnson (D-Clarendon), held a press conference today calling on the Governor to expand Medicaid in South Carolina. Our state is 1 of just 12 in the nation who have chosen not to expand Medicaid under the ACA— denying thousands of South Carolinians access to healthcare. The American Rescue Plan, recently passed by Congress and signed by President Biden, includes major incentives for states like ours to finally expand Medicaid. On top of the traditional 90% of the cost that the Federal Government will cover, they’ll pay an additional 5% of the total cost. South Carolina would be on the hook for just 5% of the cost of bringing healthcare to thousands of people under this new plan. In addition, expanding Medicaid in South Carolina could help save rural hospitals. Since 2012, 4 rural hospitals have closed in our state— shuttering the closest point of care for thousands of South Carolinians.