SC senators to discuss health care bill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — State senators are holding hearings about a bill that would prevent South Carolina from ever creating a health care exchange as part of the new health insurance law and give tax breaks to people who have to pay a penalty for not having insurance. The first hearing was Tuesday night in Greenville. Senators plan a hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Columbia and 6 p.m. Wednesday in North Charleston. The bill was initially filed to nullify the new health care law supported by President Barack Obama, but it has been amended to be largely symbolic. Critics of the bill say it is unnecessary and the tax breaks could be costly. They also say the bill could keep the state from getting federal money for Medicaid.