The South Carolina Durable Medical Equipment industry is at a critically important crossroads. 

Over the past several months, our Legislative and Payer Relations Committees have been actively monitoring developments that directly impact the future of home medical equipment providers across our state. Most recently, the Molina/CareCentrix rollout has highlighted just how quickly reimbursement and access-to-care decisions can be made without adequate provider input.

While today's challenge may be Molina, tomorrow's challenge could come from another payer, another managed care organization, or another legislative proposal. The reality is that our industry must have a stronger voice in Columbia if we are going to protect patient access, preserve the voice of all DME providers serving South Carolina, and ensure quality care remains available throughout our state. 

Thanks to your participation in our member survey and ongoing committee discussions, SCMESA has identified several key legislative priorities:

• Establishing a South Carolina Medicaid reimbursement rate floor to prevent managed care organizations from reimbursing below established state Medicaid rates.

• Achieving a full sales tax exemption for durable medical equipment providers and patients.

• Protecting patient choice and preserving access to independent South Carolina providers through legislation that promotes fair competition.

These objectives have the potential to create meaningful, long-term benefits for providers, patients, and communities across South Carolina. However, success will require more than good ideas. It will require a consistent presence in Columbia, meaningful engagement with legislators, and professional advocacy support.

Our goal is to have legislation introduced addressing these priorities during the upcoming legislative session.

For that reason, the SCMESA Board of Directors has authorized a fundraising effort to retain a lobbyist, strengthen our advocacy efforts, and ensure our industry has a consistent voice in Columbia.

Our fundraising goal is $75,000 to retain a lobbyist and support a one-year legislative advocacy initiative focused on SCMESA's key legislative priorities.  These funds will allow SCMESA to engage professional lobbying representation and provide the resources necessary to advance our legislative priorities throughout the upcoming legislative session.

Recognizing the urgency of these issues, our immediate goal is to raise approximately three months of funding ($18,750) by July 31 so that we can begin engaging a lobbyist and building legislative relationships without delay.

These funds will allow SCMESA to:

• Advance legislation establishing a Medicaid reimbursement rate floor.

• Advance a full sales tax exemption for durable medical equipment providers.

• Ensure lawmakers are educated on the importance of patient choice and access to local providers.

• Build and strengthen relationships with key legislators and committee leadership before the next legislative session begins.

• Ensure South Carolina's DME industry has a strong and consistent voice in Columbia.

Disclaimer:

"Contributions to SCMESA's legislative advocacy efforts are voluntary. Providers should ensure any contribution complies with their organization's contractual, accounting, and regulatory requirements. SCMESA does not provide legal or accounting advice, and members are encouraged to consult their own advisors regarding the treatment of advocacy-related contributions."