Lexington, SC, hospital loses battle, for now

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control board has given final approval to the South Carolina Health Plan, and accepted agency recommendations against an open-heart surgery unit for Lexington Medical Center. Several members of the DHEC board, however, called on the Legislature to reform the process by which hospitals and other institutions can gain approval to open new programs and offer better care. Lexington Medical had hoped to meet South Carolina requirements for obtaining a Certificate of Need to open a new program by amending the health plan.