South Carolina legislators and medical professionals met at the State House on Wednesday to address the state’s growing physician shortage, which is particularly severe in rural areas.
Facing a potential national shortfall of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, South Carolina is already seeing longer wait times and increased travel distances for patients seeking care.
The core of the discussion centered on whether to expand the practice authority of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs). Under current state law, while NPs and PAs can diagnose, treat, and prescribe medicine, they must do so under the supervision of a physician.
Lawmakers argued that removing the supervision requirement is necessary to ensure residents in the state’s most remote communities have access to healthcare. They noted that patients with transportation issues who cannot reach a doctor might instead be able to reach a nurse practitioner, improving early diagnosis and care access.
Conversely, some medical leaders, representing groups like the South Carolina Medical Association, argued that physician supervision remains essential. They warned that a lack of full medical training could lead to misdiagnoses or incorrect treatments, potentially resulting in poorer patient outcomes.
The state’s Department of Health and Human Services has supported giving NPs more independent authority, especially as part of federal efforts to transform rural healthcare. However, strong opposition remains to fully removing the supervision requirement.
Bills aimed at expanding practice authority for nurse practitioners and physician assistants are currently in committee and are expected to be reviewed again during the next legislative session in January.
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