South Carolina debates solutions for doctor shortage crisis

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – At the South Carolina State House on Wednesday, legislators and medical professionals met to discuss possible solutions, including expanding the roles of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).

South Carolina lawmakers said the state is facing a growing doctor shortage — one that’s especially severe in rural areas.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States could face a shortfall of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036. For South Carolina, that shortage means longer wait times and longer travel distances for patients, particularly in rural communities.

“If we don’t have enough health care providers in the pipeline to get to the most rural areas, we’ve got to come up with something that’s going to allow it,” said Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto (D – Orangeburg).

Under current South Carolina law, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can diagnose, treat, prescribe, and practice medicine — but only under physician supervision.

Lawmakers are now asking whether that supervision is still necessary.

“Because of transportation restraints and other limitations that they [patients] have, they’re not going to make it to a doctor, but they could make it to a nurse practitioner who, in theory, would recognize the very things you’re talking about and send people to the E.R,” Hutto said.

Shannon Cooke, who is a Nurse Practioner, added, “Physicians are often much more limited on time which directly affects patient outcomes… nurse practitioners are able to successfully tackle with knowledge and expertise.”

Many medical leaders argue that supervision remains essential.

Dr. Rebekah Bernard, testified on behalf of South Carolina Medical Association.

“If you get the wrong diagnosis, the wrong medicine, or whatever the situation may be, where if they had waited and seen a physician and that hadn’t happened, potentially, it could be a very different outcome,” Bernard said.

Secretary Robert Kennedy and the Department of Health and Human Services have supported giving nurse practitioners more authority to practice independently, particularly as part of federal rural healthcare initiatives.

But not everyone agrees.

“Is HHS wrong at the federal level to point to nurse practitioners? Is he wrong to point that out as being part of a rural transformation? Yes or no?” said Senator Tom Davis (R – Beaufort).

“Yes. He’s wrong. Yes,” said Bernard.

The bills aimed at expanding practice authority for nurse practitioners and physician assistants are still in committee. Lawmakers are expected to take them up again during the legislative session in January.