SC governor’s veto on methadone clinics overridden

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina legislators have overridden Gov. Nikki Haley’s veto to give the state’s health agency more oversight of methadone clinics and other facilities that distribute narcotics to treat addiction.

The 112-1 vote Wednesday in the House makes the bill law. The Senate voted 27-11 earlier this month to override the veto.

The bill requires the facilities to get a certificate of need from the Department of Health and Environmental Control as part of their application process.

Legislators exempted such clinics from the regulatory process last year. Rep. Murrell Smith of Sumter says since then, seven new facilities have applied to open, including in areas that have drawn a backlash from local residents.

Haley opposed the certificate process, saying it would allow government to ration care and stifle competition in medicine.