By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC
On May 28, 2025, Congressman James E. Clyburn brought together a few of South Carolina’s top health care leaders and advocates for a Medicaid Roundtable at the South Carolina Hospital Association in Columbia. The discussion focused on the potential impact of proposed federal health care funding changes, including nearly $1 trillion in reductions passed in a recent reconciliation bill.
Participants examined how these changes could impact access to care for Medicaid recipients, hospitals, and healthcare providers—particularly in rural and underserved areas of the state.
Among the panelists was Kathy Schwarting, CEO of Palmetto Care Connections (PCC), who addressed how funding reductions could threaten the sustainability of telehealth services. PCC supports rural providers across South Carolina in using telemedicine to connect patients with critical care.
Congressman Clyburn highlighted the scope of Medicaid’s reach in South Carolina, where more than one million residents depend on the program—including over 105,000 children and 20,000 seniors in his district. He also underscored the importance of telemedicine in expanding access for underserved communities.
“PCC is deeply concerned,” Schwarting said. “If funding disappears, it’s not just telehealth that goes away—access to care, especially for people in rural areas, becomes nearly impossible.”
In South Carolina, Medicaid supports 4 out of every 9 children, 5 out of every 8 nursing home residents, 3 out of every 10 working-age adults with disabilities, and 1 out of every 6 adults ages 19 to 64. Behind those numbers are real people—families, seniors, and workers—whose health and well-being depend on stable, reliable coverage.
By: Chaunte’ Causey, Communications Manager, PCC