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Dear, Friend
Thank you for subscribing to my new health care e-newsletter! Health care is one of the most critical issues facing our nation, and I look forward to sharing with you some of the initiatives I am undertaking to provide better care not just during the pandemic, but well into the future. I will also have a survey in each newsletter for you to share your thoughts on this important subject, and I look forward to incorporating your answers and ideas into future updates as well.
You can sign up for my weekly update and other issue-specific newsletters here. Also, please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of South Carolina!
New COVID vaccines and what it means for our community
Back in March, I spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of funding vaccine research. Now, we are seeing the fruits of these efforts; two vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, are performing extremely well in clinical trials and yielding positive, SAFE, results. Even as we battle through tough times right now, and most likely through the holiday season, I am optimistic about the future of our health as a country. Reports say we may have an authorized vaccine by the end of this year, which is great news. However, we are still waiting on FDA approval, and even after that, it may take months for the American public to get vaccinated. For the time being, remember to wash your hands, maintain social distancing, and wear a mask!
If you or a loved one are in need of COVID-related health care and do not know where you can go to get tested, please check DHEC’s website and find a testing center near you.
Rural Broadband and its Effects on Health Care and Education
Among other lessons, the pandemic has shown us just how important it is that every American has access to high-quality, high-speed internet. This is why Senator Graham and I introduced The State Fix Act to provide underserved areas with broadband access. This legislation allows theFCC to partner with local private contractors to equip rural communities with high-speed internet. Throughout the pandemic, the whole country has become more reliant on connectivity; it is estimated that 650,000 South Carolinians lack access to high-speed internet. Without access to internet, people are not able to connect with family and friends, work from home, or go to school remotely; this obviously poses a problem.
More access to high-speed internet also opens up more opportunities for rural areas to more easily access health care. With more doctors’ offices offering telehealth services due to the pandemic, more people can take advantage of quality health care from the safety of their homes. Health care protocols have changed to make telemedicine more accessible. However, without access to internet, hurdles to availability will persist. This is why I am proud of this legislation, as it helps to bridge the divide created by a lack of digital access.
If you are curious to learn more about connectivity and broadband access, you can sign up for our issue-specific e-newsletter here!
Virtual Access to Diabetes Care
Outside of the pandemic, we are still tackling scores of other health-related challenges. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in South Carolina and disproportionately impacts communities of color, as well as rural Americans. I partnered with Senator Warner to introduce legislation that will ensure that people have the tools they need to fight this disease. This bill allows for people to take advantage of proven diabetes prevention services virtually instead of through in-person sessions that were exclusively offered before.
This is vital, because in rural, medically underserved areas, people are not always able to travel to participate in these programs. While the federal government has allowed for some short-term use of virtual sessions during the pandemic, the rules are still too restrictive to benefit most eligible Americans, and these flexibilities will expire once the pandemic ends. We need a lasting fix, and I will continue to fight for the underserved in our communities.
On that note, please share your thoughts and take the survey below to share what you think the future of health care in South Carolina and the country as a whole must look like.
Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
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