South Carolina H 5425: Congenital Heart Disease

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5425 Text of Previous Version (Mar. 26, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5425

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, INCLUDING 
AORTIC ATRESIA, AS A CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITY IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO 
URGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE, LIFELONG CARE FRAMEWORK FOR AFFECTED 
RESIDENTS.

Whereas, congenital heart 
disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect, and rare conditions such 
as aortic atresia, where the aortic valve fails to form in a fetus, require 
complex, multistage surgical interventions and specialized lifelong medical 
supervision; and

Whereas, aortic atresia 
frequently occurs in conjunction with other complex CHDs, including hypoplastic 
left heart syndrome, and requires coordinated, multidisciplinary treatment from 
infancy through adulthood; and

Whereas, South Carolina 
mandates newborn screening for critical congenital heart defects, an important 
life-saving measure that facilitates early detection, but does not establish a 
comprehensive system for long-term care and support; and

Whereas, South Carolina 
has established a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC) to provide guidance on 
rare conditions, including congenital heart defects, yet no targeted statutory 
framework currently designates CHD as a distinct public health priority 
requiring coordinated, lifelong care infrastructure; and 

Whereas, individuals 
born with complex CHD are living longer into adulthood and require ongoing 
access to specialized pediatric and adult congenital cardiology services, 
transition programs, and care coordination; and

Whereas, workforce 
shortages, geographic disparities in specialist availability, and reimbursement 
challenges create barriers to timely and affordable access to high-quality 
congenital heart care, particularly in rural and underserved communities; and

Whereas, strengthening 
research, provider training, insurance coverage standards, and care 
coordination for CHD would support families, improve health outcomes, and 
reduce long-term healthcare costs to the State; and 

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives recognize CHD, including aortic atresia, 
as a significant and ongoing public health concern affecting families across 
this State and support the efforts to expand research, data collection, and 
actionable policy recommendations through collaboration with the South Carolina 
RDAC and relevant healthcare stakeholders to ensure accessible, coordinated, 
and sustainable care throughout the lifespan. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, recognize congenital heart disease, including aortic 
atresia, as a critical public health priority in South Carolina and urge the 
establishment of a comprehensive, lifelong care framework for affected 
residents. 

----XX----

This web page was last updated on March 26, 2026 at 11:45 AM