Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Eunice Medina to replace retiring S.C. Health and Human Services (SCHHS) Director Robert Kerr at a Thursday press conference in Columbia. SCHHS oversees the state’s Medicaid program.
Medina, who still must be confirmed by the S.C. Senate, is currently the agency’s chief of staff. Prior to that, she spent 20 years as a Medicaid administrator with the state of Florida.
“She is a real pro,” McMaster told reporters. “She’s been around every aspect of this kind of work for her entire career.”
In her remarks, Medina praised the accomplishments of her predecessor in expanding care while achieving major cost savings, noting that Medicaid now covers 60% of children in the state.
“For the last 20 years, I have dedicated my career to working in Medicaid,” Medina said. “Thank you again Governor McMaster for the faith you have shown in me by nominating me for this position. I look forward to earning this position through the confirmation process.”
Earlier this year, McMaster vetoed a legislative health-care study that would have included a look at expanding Medicaid to cover an additional 300,000 South Carolinians, with the federal government picking up 90% of the tab under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
“I remain unconvinced that the expansion of Medicaid benefits — which this legislative study committee is tasked with considering — is necessary, nor do I believe it is fiscally responsible,” McMaster said at the time.
South Carolina is one of only 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid since passage of the ACA in 2010.
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S.C. considers buying land for two nature reserves. About 3,000 acres in the Pee Dee and near the Georgia border that the state Department of Natural Resources got approval to consider last month could be added to a network of more than 70 protected heritage preserves across the state, chosen because of their cultural or natural significance.
Foster parents needed throughout S.C. Statewide, the number of youth in the foster system has decreased according to the Department of Social Services, despite the number of children in the foster system going down.
Charleston voters say no on sales tax referendum. Charleston County voters sent a solid “no” message Tuesday to Charleston County Council on its request to extend a half-cent sales tax to raise billions for road and other projects. In other local referenda results:
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