Health Care

Health Care

The League of Women Voters HHI-BA, in conformity with LWVUS and LWVSC, supports the provision of a basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost for all South Carolina residents. Health Insurance should be expanded to cover all South Carolinians. The state should participate fully in federal programs to provide health care insurance and services. LWVSC strongly supports access to sexual and reproductive health care and autonomy of decision-making.

This page will provide important information to help keep you abreast of the health care news affecting all of us.

 

November 5, 2025 - "From Data to Action: Status of Women & Girls Reports in SC"

November 21, 1:00pm WREN Webinar

As promised to the League's enthusiastic crowd at our August Women's Equality Day, WREN* is presenting a webinar, "From Data to Action: Status of Women & Girls Reports", on November 21 at 1:00 pm. WREN has spent months researching the report, and now they want to share it with you. This webinar is open and free to attend, but you must register here to receive the webinar link.

 

October 27, 2025 - Talking Points on SC Senate Bill 323

What Does SC SB 323 Do?

SB 323 is an almost total ban on abortions, identifying it as the crime of homicide punishable by a prison term of up to 30 years for a person having an abortion or aiding in abortion. The League of Women Voters of South Carolina rejects this bill in its entirety. This SC bill should be frightening to all of us. Please read more about this bill and what you can do to help stop it.

 

October 22, 2025 - Southern Alliance for Public Health

Measles Vaccination Update in SC Health

Vaccines are a core component of public health.
There is a fairly significant outbreak of measles in Spartenburg County. 16-18 cases, but the # is underreported.
Vaccination rates are lower than they have been in the past. There is a higher number of religious exemptions. SC has recently made it easier to get a religious exemption; parents can go online and complete a form to obtain the exemption. For many families, this is easier than finding a clinic, getting time off work, and finding transportation to get their child to the vaccination site.
Other Issues:
-   Too many counties in SC do not have public health clinics.
-   Fairfield County has NO pediatricians.
-   Measles keeps kids out of school.
-   The average cost for a health dept per measles case is $20,000  (high cost of contact tracing)
GA has 2-3 times more measles cases than SC
 
 

October 20, 2025 - Action Alert

On Nov. 18, 2 PM the Medical Affairs Subcommittee will again hear testimony on S. 323.

SB 323 remains unacceptable in its entirety. There is no amendment that could make this bill acceptable. It would treat any abortion as homicide with exceptions only for imminent death of the mother or loss of major bodily function. Keep up the pressure by calling your Senator and members of the subcommittee. Amplify the message on social media. #StopTheBansSC. Read the full text of the Action Alert. 
 
 
October 16, 2025 - Press Release from LWVSC

Full practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses: a win-win-win 

Allowing nurse practitioners (APRNs) to provide the health care they are trained and licensed to give— without being tied to a smaller and smaller pool of primary care physicians —will expand quality access to care in South Carolina. Studies report increased satisfaction and lower costs. Additionally, Congress made full practice for APRNs a requirement for all states receiving any of the recently enacted $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund. Read the full press release.

 

Sunday, February 25, 2024 - Public Statement LWV HHI-BA

Improving Access to Health Care in SC

South Carolina is one of only 10 states that have refused to expand health insurance coverage for working-age adults although Federal funds would cover more than 90% of the cost. Read the full article