By Ebony Perkins, on July 20, 2012

The governor originally vetoed funding for the CON program, stating that “bureaucracy should not be telling us which community has or does not have sufficient need for a hospital or a particular piece of complex medical equipment.” Palmetto Health Hospital, however, believes CON is an essential program and is needed to assess what programs and facilities are needed to help the people in Columbia and across the state of South Carolina. To ensure the veto was overturned, the Governmental and Community Relations department collaborated with the hospital’s lobbyists and the South Carolina Hospital Administration.

The process to override a veto involves strategy and careful execution. It is also essential to establish close relationships with state officials. To achieve this feat, Palmetto Health Hospital’s governmental staff attended many events to contact the elected officials, including a Chamber of Commerce Meeting where Representatives Chip Huggins and Nathan Ballentine were the guest speakers. They spoke about the importance of contacting your state representatives and ensuring they understand your needs and how varying policies will affect your life. They even complimented Palmetto Health Hospital for speaking up and having a vested interested in the protection of the CON program.

When the SC House of Representatives returned to the state capital on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 to vote, they voted 106-6 to override the veto eliminating the CON program. The following day, the SC Senate also voted to override the veto 36-5.

Many citizens only understand the voting process and how each elected official casts a ballot on behalf of her constituents. I now understand the behind the scenes process to make certain a veto is overturned. I enjoyed learning about this process and look forward to applying these lessons to a future career as a public servant.

 Learn more about the Certificate of Needs Program in South Carolina.