SC S0895

Expands South Carolina's definition of "hospital" under the State Health Facility Licensure Act to include hospitals that convert to Rural Emergency Hospitals under federal regulations (42 CFR Part 485 Subpart E and Section 125 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021)

Rural Emergency Hospitals are a federal designation allowing certain hospitals to provide emergency outpatient services without maintaining inpatient beds, while still receiving Medicare reimbursement

Amends Section 44-7-130(17) of the South Carolina Code to ensure converted Rural Emergency Hospitals maintain their status as licensed hospitals under state law

Takes effect upon approval by the Governor