Dr. Brandon Vaughn, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS owner and founder of Vertex PT Specialists, met with Governor Henry McMaster at the South Carolina Statehouse to address critical issues affecting the physical therapy profession and patient access to care.

Their discussion focused heavily on the growing impact of Medicare reimbursement cuts, which continue to threaten independent practices and limit care availability—particularly for South Carolina’s aging population. Dr. Vaughn emphasized how these cuts create barriers for seniors who rely on physical therapy to maintain independence, recover after surgery, and avoid unnecessary imaging, medications, or more invasive procedures.

The conversation also covered the site-neutral payment loophole, which allows hospital systems to charge significantly higher rates than private clinics for the same services. This discrepancy not only increases costs for patients and taxpayers, but also places small, independent providers at a financial disadvantage—despite offering the same, and often more personalized, care.

Dr. Vaughn and Governor McMaster explored ways to escalate this issue at the federal level, including direct communication with congressional representatives and healthcare policymakers in Washington, D.C. Their goal: to advocate for fair reimbursement models that support small businesses and preserve patient access to quality care.

Beyond policy concerns, the meeting highlighted physical therapy’s essential role in the broader effort to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA). As Dr. Vaughn explained, physical therapy helps people stay active, avoid surgery, prevent chronic conditions, and reduce healthcare costs system-wide.

Vertex PT Specialists remains deeply committed to this mission across all of its service areas, offering one-on-one care in Columbia, Cayce – West Columbia, Irmo, and through outpatient home health physical therapy in Lexington and Richland Counties.

To learn more or get started with care, contact us here.