Press-Releases

Amendment Introduced by Rep. Herbkersman Supports Agency Initiative Introduced in 2019 to Provide Additional Resources to Low-income, New Mothers

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) Acting Director Thomas Clark Phillip, in coordination with Governor Henry McMaster, today urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to maintain a key public health initiative it approved in December 2019. In a letter sent to Acting CMS Administrator Elizabeth Richter, Phillip requested the Biden administration uphold the two Section 1115 demonstration waivers that make up the Healthy Connections Community Engagement Initiative citing its “innovative approach to promote better health outcomes and financial independence by providing access to resources to the most vulnerable South Carolinians while incentivizing able-bodied South Carolinians to achieve self-sustainability.”

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) announced it will immediately begin accepting applications for a new limited-benefit Medicaid coverage group to provide reimbursement for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing for those without healthcare coverage. SCDHHS’ COVID-19 Limited Benefit Program was authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and will provide additional financial support to increase access to testing, a critical component of the state’s response to addressing the pandemic, for South Carolinians without other sources of healthcare coverage.