The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Health is seeking $350 million from South Carolina legislators to fund a new comprehensive cancer hospital in downtown Charleston, adjacent to Rutledge Tower on the MUSC campus. [web:context]
Approved by the hospital’s governing board in April, the facility aims to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Cancer Center designation—the first in the state—elevating from its current tier-two Clinical Cancer Center status. This upgrade would expand research, attract top scientists and jobs, increase NCI grants from $11 million to $14 million over five years, and address South Carolina’s higher-than-average cancer mortality rates despite lower incidence. [web:context]
MUSC plans to apply for NCI designation in 2028, with the hospital opening in 2030, requiring broader research depth and community outreach. The state has already provided $5 million annually (ongoing) plus $10 million recurring since 2022 to support these efforts, anticipating a strong return through lifesaving treatments and reduced cancer burden. [web:context]
SC-owned hospital system set to double debt with 2 new hospitals
MUSC’s existing cancer center features over 230 researchers, a $50 million research portfolio, and more than 200 clinical trials. [web:context]
The planned new hospital will include 50 to 100 inpatient beds, outpatient services, surgeries, stem cell transplantation, dedicated CT/MRI scanners, chemotherapy, radiation, a lab, pharmacy, pain management, and rehab. [web:context]
Statewide Expansion
MUSC broke ground in September on a Summerville clinic and plans similar facilities in Florence—where 780 annual cancer diagnoses occur—and potentially Orangeburg, with 519 cases yearly, mainly breast, prostate, and lung cancers. [web:context]
Recent expansions include acquiring four rural hospitals in 2019 (Florence, Marion, Chester, Lancaster counties), three Midlands hospitals plus an ER in 2021, and taking over Orangeburg hospital operations in 2023. [web:context]
MUSC Health weighing deal for control of struggling Grand Strand hospitals
In April, a state financial review panel authorized MUSC Health to borrow $860 million, including $400 million for a hospital in Summerville’s Nexton community, $330 million for one in Indian Land (Lancaster County panhandle), and $130 million for equipment at both sites. [web:context]
Additional Acquisitions
MUSC and Tidelands Health continued finalizing a deal in September for MUSC to gain controlling interest in Grand Strand area hospitals, with financial terms undisclosed. The system also plans to purchase Roper St. Francis’ peninsula hospital in 2029 after Roper relocates to North Charleston; the state allocated $15 million in 2022 to aid this acquisition. [web:context]
