Vincent Sheheen (2008 file photo by Brad Warthen)

Remember that gubernatorial debate I moderated for the S.C. Hospital Association? That was part of the Association’s discernment process as they tried to decide whom, if anyone, to back in the election.

The Association has not yet decided whom to endorse in that election, or even whether it will endorse, Association chief Thornton Kirby told me Friday afternoon.

But financial support is another matter. The Association’s PAC has decided to go ahead and contribute financially to the Vincent Sheheen campaign. Mr. Kirby said that doesn’t mean the Association will necessarily endorse him, and it doesn’t mean the PAC won’t contribute to other campaigns. But so far, Sen. Sheheen is the only gubernatorial candidate the PAC has decide to contribute to. That reflects the fact that “He’s so solidly out there on some things that are important to us,” said Mr. Kirby.

The Sheheen campaign was celebrating the decision today:

SOUTH CAROLINA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE VOTES TO SUPPORT VINCENT SHEHEEN FOR GOVERNOR

Columbia, SC — This week the South Carolina Hospital Association Political Action Committee (SCHAPAC) voted unanimously to support State Sen. Vincent Sheheen in the Democratic primary for governor.

“We believe that Vincent Sheheen will be a governor who will work with members of the legislature to get South Carolina moving forward again,” said SCHA CEO Thornton Kirby. “South Carolina’s hospitals can be confident that if elected governor, Sheheen will collaborate with health care providers to ensure South Carolinians have access to quality, affordable health care. He recognizes the important role hospitals play in our communities and how they contribute to the economic health of our state. We believe that his vision for creating a health care economy and his commitment to forging a working relationship with the hospitals in our state is in the best interest of South Carolina’s future.”

In response to receiving the support of the South Carolina Hospital Association Political Action Committee, Sen. Sheheen offered the following comments:

“I’m honored to receive the backing of these dedicated health care professionals. It is critical that our hospitals have a seat at the table when discussing the economic future of our state. We need to develop and cultivate a health care economy that creates health care jobs in all parts of our state. The success of our hospital system is a vital component in putting South Carolina back on the path to success, and I look forward to working with health care providers to improve the health and quality of life of all South Carolinians. I am grateful to have their support. ”

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You know why this PAC is putting it’s money behind Vincent Sheheen, as opposed to, say, Henry McMaster? Because our hospitals have to deal with the real-world, life-and-death consequences of this country’s insane system for paying for health care. The Hospital Association’s PAC can’t afford empty ideological gestures of the sort Mr. McMaster engaged in today.

One other point — this has to be a disappointment to Jim Rex, who had gone to so much trouble to position himself before the Association debate as THE guy opposing Henry on the cigarette tax.

Vincent Sheheen just took another small step toward being his party’s nominee.

Thornton Kirby (2008 file photo by Brad Warthen)