Senate passes health reform bill after 3rd reading

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Senate passed a landmark health agency reform bill.

Lawmakers gave a third reading to the bill that consolidates existing state health agencies into the new cabinet-level Executive Office of Health and Policy.

The bill prioritizes accountability by placing the secretary of health and police under the authority of the governor instead of unelected board members.

It now heads to the house. It comers in the wake of multiple reform bills to repeal the certificate of need and split the Department of Health and Environmental Control.