Through a letter, a group of 10 members from the Greenville (S.C.) County legislative delegation has asked the South Carolina Legislative Audit Council for an audit of Greenville (S.C.) Health System's Office of Philanthropy and other philanthropic areas within the health system, according to Greenville Online.
Here are four things to know about the situation.
1. The audit included specific requests. The legislators' letter requests "an audit of all GHS strategic plans, building projects, medical departments, medical practices or any other initiatives that received funds controlled by or solicited through the GHS Office of Philanthropy." In addition, the legislators said "[s]pecific attention should be given to those donations that were given for a directed purpose."
2. The reason behind the audit request is somewhat muffled. One of the requesters, Rep. Garry Smith (R), said members of the public were concern about GHS' fundraising and philanthropic efforts. Rep. Mike Burns (R) claimed the audit request is related to funds raised for GHS' neurological center. Still, the report did not cite an official reason for the request.
3. Greenville Health System released a statement in response. The system said it "is proud of [its] work with patients and is especially proud of the long-time commitment in and from the community. GHS has not been contacted by members of the Greenville County Legislative Delegation or the S.C. Legislative Audit Council requesting any information about GHS Philanthropy or its work with charitable funds."
4. Recently, GHS officials and members of the legislative delegation have disputed the health system's restructuring plan. GHS wants to switch up its structure in hopes of continuing functioning as a public nonprofit as part of a larger private, nonprofit health system. However, the legislators believe doing so "would take public assets out of public oversight," according to the report.