COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a meeting of the Special Joint Committee to Study Childcare, lawmakers heard from healthcare officials Thursday on how a lack of affordable childcare is impacting the hospital workforce.
The committee is tasked with hearing from parents, childcare providers, and other stakeholders and recommending how to use state dollars to supplement the childcare workforce and make care more accessible for parents.
When parents struggle to find care, the shortage impacts all industries, and the hospital system is no exception, said Lara Hewitt of the S.C. Hospital Association (SCHA).
"It is a big issue for the healthcare workforce," said Hewitt. "Hospitals run 24/7, so when somebody calls out, it’s a big deal. It impacts the ability to be able to provide patient care in some cases. Parents have to choose between being a parent or coming to work."
Hewitt says only six of the 95 hospitals in the SCHA offer child care, one of which is Prisma.
A study presented by Artemis Consulting Firm's Amanda McDougald Scott found that child caregivers make less than several other comparable positions, such as animal caregivers and pre-kindergarten teachers. Rep. Shannon S. Erickson said addressing that problem means balancing how to alleviate the burden from childcare providers and improve pay while making the cost of child care more accessible.
"What can lower rates for parents? What can make more accessible childcare numbers go up?" Erickson asked. "We have a really out-of-balance business model for childcare centers to follow and a really out-of-balance model for what parents can afford to pay."
The committee heard several recommendations from the speakers who testified, including the expansion of Medicaid to include childcare workers. Erickson said she's interested in several recommendations, including a South Carolina Department of Social Services program, which would give bonuses to childcare workers, and increasing child care vouchers, which cover the cost of care for people with a gross income at or below 85% of the state median income level.
"During COVID, we covered teachers, childcare workers and our first responders," Erickson said. "It was a great program. Those are jobs that we need in our communities."
The committee's next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15. Members hope to have recommendations prepared before the next session begins in January.