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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and Congresswoman Mace Under Fire for Remaining Silent on MUSC Amid Federal Funding Cuts

By James Seidel, CC News Network

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is facing backlash for what critics call a lack of support for the state’s top research hospital, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), amid drastic proposed federal funding cuts.

Congresswoman Nancy Mace has gone so far as to call Wilson a “do-nothing Attorney General,” questioning his priorities as he publicly backs the Department of Government Efficiency (the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a government agency), an agency run by billionaire Elon Musk, rather than advocating for MUSC, the state’s #1 hospital system, which employs over 17,000 South Carolinians.

MUSC - Nancy Mace — Nancy Mace calling Alan Wilson a Do-Nothing on the floor of the Capital.

A Political Abandonment of South Carolina’s Premier Research Institution?

MUSC stands to lose nearly $40 million annually in federal funding under a proposal put forward by the Trump administration. This funding supports groundbreaking research into diseases like colon and lung cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and obesity. MUSC’s Provost Lisa Saladin warned the Board of Trustees on Feb. 13 that the university anticipates up to a $38 million funding cut should the proposal move forward.

Although a federal judge in Boston temporarily halted the reductions on Feb. 10, the uncertainty surrounding the funding has alarmed South Carolina’s medical and research communities.

Despite this looming crisis, Wilson has been silent on the issue so far, leaving many wondering why the state’s chief law enforcement officer isn’t fighting to protect South Carolina’s leading research hospital. Is he putting political ambitions above the well-being of South Carolina residents? A state in which he may run for governor. He may be asked by voters why he didn’t stand up for the #1 hospital system in the state he may want tpo govern.

Where Is Nancy Mace on This MUSC Cut?

Adding to the controversy, MUSC is in Nancy Mace’s congressional district, yet she has not publicly addressed the impending loss of funding. Mace has been vocal in attacking Wilson on unrelated issues, but when it comes to this direct economic and public health crisis in her own backyard, she has remained largely silent so far. We will wait and see if she will stand up to Musk and DOGE for one of the largest employers in her district. Mace also is eying the Govenor’s mansion in Columbia and may have to answer the question Wilson will be asked. Why didn’t you stand up for MUSC?

The Stakes: South Carolina’s Economy and Future Healthcare at Risk

The cuts would drastically reduce funding for overhead costs, specialized lab equipment, building maintenance, and administrative support. Currently, MUSC receives between $56 and $60 million annually through a 51% indirect cost rate. The Trump administration’s plan would cap indirect costs at just 15%, creating a massive funding gap that institutions may struggle to fill.

The University of South Carolina, Clemson University, and MUSC combined brought in over $225.5 million in NIH grants in the 2024 fiscal year, supporting over 3,800 jobs statewide. Reducing these grants would not only hinder medical advancements but could also cost South Carolina hundreds, if not thousands, of high-paying research jobs.

Leaders from the Association of American Medical Colleges have warned that these cuts will slow scientific progress and force the U.S. to fall behind international competitors in medical research. Does Mace and Wilson really want that for South Carolina and MUSC?

A Pattern of Misplaced Priorities?

While MUSC and other South Carolina institutions face an existential threat, Wilson has chosen to throw his weight behind the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a government agency, run by billionaire Elon Musk, rather than fighting for South Carolina’s most critical medical research funding. Critics argue this is a glaring example of a state leader abandoning his own state’s interests over political aspirations.

As South Carolina’s top law enforcement official, Wilson’s role should be to advocate for the well-being of the state, its citizens, and its leading hospital system. His silence on this issue raises serious concerns about his commitment to South Carolina’s public health and economic future.

That ruling came after the same judge had previously issued a more limited pause in response to a lawsuit filed by 22 states, excluding South Carolina, aiming to block the cuts. Where was our Attorney General?

With MUSC’s future funding on the line, South Carolina residents are left wondering: Will Alan Wilson and Nancy Mace stand up for MUSC and its 17,000 employees, or will he continue prioritizing his political ambitions over the people he was elected to serve?

And just as pressing: Will Nancy Mace break her silence and fight for the institution that sits in her own district? Time will tell for both these politicians. In the meantime, the #1 hospital in the state stands alone looking at large cuts in funding with no pushback from two of its possible governors on two years.