The South Carolina General Assembly is the legislative body responsible for creating and passing laws that impact our state and the practice of medicine within its borders. Understanding how the legislative process works is essential for physicians and medical professionals who want to influence healthcare policy and ensure that the voices of South Carolina’s doctors are heard.
How a Bill Becomes Law in South Carolina
Every bill starts as an idea that must go through a multi-step legislative process before becoming law. Here’s a breakdown of the journey:
- Bill Introduction and Prefiling
Each year, lawmakers prefile bills before the legislative session officially begins. These bills are assigned to either the House of Representatives or the Senate, where they receive an official bill number and are assigned to a committee. - Committee Review
Once introduced, the bill is sent to the relevant committee for review. Committees are smaller groups of legislators that specialize in certain policy areas, such as healthcare. This step is crucial because most bills that fail to become law stall in committee.- Subcommittee Hearings: Bills are often first heard in a subcommittee, where testimony from experts, stakeholders, and the public is presented. This is a prime opportunity for physician advocates to voice their concerns or support.
- Full Committee Consideration: If a subcommittee approves a bill, it moves to the full committee for further debate and possible amendments.
- Floor Debate and Voting
If a bill passes out of committee, it moves to the full House or Senate for debate and voting. Legislators may suggest further amendments before taking a final vote.- House to Senate (or vice versa): If a bill passes in one chamber, it moves to the other chamber for the same process of committee review, debate, and voting.
- Conference Committee: If the House and Senate pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee composed of members from both chambers meets to reconcile differences.
- Governor’s Desk
If both chambers agree on a final version, the bill is sent to the Governor. The Governor may:- Sign the bill into law.
- Veto the bill (which can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both chambers).
- Allow the bill to become law without signing it.
The Role of Advocacy in the Legislative Process
Advocacy is crucial in shaping healthcare policy in South Carolina. The SCMA works tirelessly to ensure that laws passed by the General Assembly protect patient safety and preserve the integrity of the medical profession.
Why Doctors Need to Advocate at the Statehouse
Physicians are the frontline experts in healthcare and are best positioned to inform legislators about the real-world impact of proposed laws. Without physician advocacy, healthcare policy could be dictated by individuals who lack medical expertise.
How Physicians Can Get Involved
- Stay Informed
Doctors should remain updated on legislative issues that affect healthcare. SCMA provides regular updates on important bills and advocacy efforts. - Connect with Lawmakers
Building relationships with legislators before an issue arises is key. Physicians should introduce themselves to their district’s representatives and senators and share their expertise on healthcare topics. When all physicians get involved there is not a district in the state that is not touched by their presence. - Testify Before Committees
Public testimony at legislative hearings is one of the most impactful ways to advocate. Legislators take testimony from physicians seriously because they provide firsthand accounts of how policies affect patient care. - Participate in SCMA’s Doctor of the Day Program
Physicians can volunteer as the SCMA Doctor of the Day at the Statehouse, offering medical assistance to legislators and staff while gaining firsthand insight into the legislative process. - Support SCMedPAC
SCMedPAC helps elect physician-friendly candidates who understand the importance of strong healthcare policy. By supporting SCMedPAC, physicians can help ensure that lawmakers who prioritize patient safety and physician rights hold office.
Conclusion
Understanding the legislative process and actively engaging in advocacy ensures that physicians have a seat at the table when healthcare policy is shaped. The SC Medical Association stands ready to support South Carolina’s doctors in these efforts, but physician involvement is critical to success. By staying informed, connecting with lawmakers, and participating in advocacy initiatives, doctors can help shape a healthcare system that prioritizes patient care and the practice of medicine.
By Ben Homeyer, Owner of 1101 Public Affairs and Lobbyist for SC Medical Association
