SCMESA’s Bobby Horton passes
By HME News Staff
Updated 9:34 AM CDT, Thu July 6, 2023
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – Bobby Horton, executive director of the South Carolina Medical Equipment Services Association (SCMESA), passed June 29. Horton, 87, advocated for suppliers at both the state and federal level, and was instrumental in getting prescribed equipment and supplies exempted from the state sales tax in 2013, says Andrea Stark, who described him as a friend and mentor to many. “Bobby was an expert at cultivating relationships,” said Stark, a Medicare consultant and reimbursement specialist with MiraVista, which is based in Columbia, S.C. “He used that expertise to tirelessly advocate for the HME suppliers in our state at the State House and on Capitol Hill. He helped the South Carolina legislature understand the importance of HME access, and he was instrumental in the 2013 exemption of prescribed equipment and supplies from South Carolina sales tax.” Outside of HME, Horton served as mayor of West Columbia, S.C., from 2004 to 2011, and again from 2015 to 2019, and was on the City Council from 1977 to 1989. According to his obituary, Horton had “an unyielding dedication to the betterment of West Columbia.” Horton was especially proud of his involvement in developing Carraway Park into a park for children of all abilities in West Columbia. His contributions to the state were recognized in November of 2019 when he received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor.
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