Legislators override hospital building review veto

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina legislators have agreed to continue funding a state program that decides how and where hospitals can expand in order to avoid duplication of services.

The override Wednesday of Gov. Nikki Haley’s veto keeps afloat the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s certificate of need program in the proposed state budget.

Haley fought for years as a state legislator to help a hometown hospital get a heart care center despite the state agency’s objections. Haley was on the hospital’s foundation’s board and was employed by it.

Haley says it’s ridiculous that hospitals have to get approval to expand.

But legislators said the program saves consumers money by limiting duplication of services.