Lawmakers hear hours of testimony and expert briefings on bill to schedule kratom and synthetic derivatives The subcommittee heard extensive public testimony and expert briefings on H4641, a proposal to place kratom on the state controlled‑substances schedule; witnesses were divided, with medical and forensic experts urging restriction of potent extracts and some users and trade advocates warning a total ban would harm patients who use botanical kratom.

South Carolina lawmakers are grappling with the controversial H4641 bill that could ban kratom, sparking heated debates over its safety and potential benefits.

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#SC #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #SubstanceRegulation #CommunitySafety #SouthCarolinaHealth

Subcommittee approves bill to allow over‑the‑counter ivermectin sales for adults A Medical and Health Affairs subcommittee voted to advance HB4042, which would allow adults 18 and older to buy human‑grade ivermectin without a prescription, subject to board of pharmacy rules, pharmacist counseling and limited liability protections.

South Carolina's Medical and Health Affairs subcommittee just voted unanimously to allow adults to purchase human-grade ivermectin over the counter—could this change your access to treatment?

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#SC #PatientSafety #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #PharmacyAccess #SouthCarolinaHealth

Legislators question mRNA vaccine contamination findings during health committee meeting Legislators raise concerns over Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine contamination and need for safety measures.

South Carolina lawmakers are raising alarms over alarming findings of errant DNA in mRNA vaccines, questioning the safety of what was once deemed an emergency solution.

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#SC #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #SouthCarolinaHealth #PublicHealthPolicy #VaccineSafety

Senate committee reviews Doctor Simmer's nomination for public health director in South Carolina Committee assesses Doctor Simmer's qualifications for health director amid public health debates.

The South Carolina Senate is at a crossroads as they weigh Dr. Simmer's nomination for health director, a decision that could shape the state's public health future.

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#SC #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #SouthCarolinaHealth #VaccineAccess #GovernanceAccountability

Senate debates governor's nomination of Dr. Semmer amid consent of governed discussion Senators deliberate on Governor's nomination of Dr. Semmer and his qualifications.

The South Carolina Senate is at a crossroads, debating the governor's nomination of Dr. Semmer and the critical balance of executive power in public health governance.

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#SC #CivicAccountability #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #ExecutiveAuthority #SouthCarolinaHealth

South Carolina officials outline need for improved health data collection system Officials discuss enhancing data systems to address underreporting of health incidents.

South Carolina's Senate Medical Affairs Committee confronts alarming health data underreporting, revealing 105 deaths and over 2,400 serious cases that demand urgent reform.

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#SC #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #DataCollection #SouthCarolinaHealth #HealthOutcomes

South Carolina Senate Committee Questions Dr. Simmer on COVID Vaccine Responses Senators grill Dr. Simmer on vaccine-related deaths and health policies during hearing.

South Carolina senators are demanding answers as they scrutinize vaccine safety and public health strategies in the wake of COVID-19.

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#SC #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #SouthCarolinaHealth #CommunityTrust #VaccineAccess

South Carolina unveils mobile maternity unit to tackle infant mortality rates Doctors emphasize mobile unit's role in improving prenatal care access to mothers.

South Carolina is rolling out a groundbreaking mobile maternity unit to combat alarming infant mortality rates and ensure vital healthcare reaches underserved communities.

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#SC #InfantMortality #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess #MaternalHealth #SouthCarolinaHealth

South Carolina health officials monitor measles status amid national outbreaks State prepares for measles with education, vaccines, and monitoring after past outbreaks.

South Carolina is on high alert for measles as vaccination rates dip and national outbreaks raise concerns—are we doing enough to protect our children?

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#SC #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #SouthCarolinaHealth #DiseasePrevention #VaccinationEducation

Florida Surgeon General warns of mRNA COVID vaccine risks and waning efficacy Surgeon General's bulletin highlights waning vaccine effectiveness and potential heart risks.

The South Carolina Senate is raising alarms about the waning effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and their potential links to serious heart issues—are we fully aware of the risks?

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#SC #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #SouthCarolinaHealth #VaccineEfficacy

South Carolina Senate confirms Dr. Simmer for public health cabinet position Senator supports Dr. Simmer's nomination, emphasizing the governor's deference in cabinet selections.

As the South Carolina Senate gears up to confirm Dr. Simmer as the new head of DHEC, tensions rise over the importance of support for public servants in an era of intimidation.

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#SC #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #SouthCarolinaHealth #GovernmentAccountability

South Carolina Health Leader questioned on vaccine adverse reactions data access State health leader admits limited access to vaccine-related death and reaction data.

Concerns over vaccine-related deaths are raising urgent questions in South Carolina, as lawmakers confront health leaders about the troubling lack of data on fatalities linked to COVID-19 vaccinations.

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#SC #CivicAccountability #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #SouthCarolinaHealth

Health Department seeks funding for maternal care and staffing improvements in South Carolina Department requests funding for new staff and mobile units to enhance maternal health services.

South Carolina is taking bold steps to tackle its alarming maternal and infant mortality rates with new funding requests aimed at improving healthcare access and staffing.

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#SC #PublicHealthInitiatives #MaternalHealth #SouthCarolinaHealth #CitizenPortal #HealthcareAccess

South Carolina Assembly proposes informed consent for COVID-19 vaccine administration New bill requires informed consent protocol before Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine administration.

A controversial new bill in South Carolina could change the way individuals receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by requiring stringent informed consent protocols that may impact public health.

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#SC #InformedConsent #SouthCarolinaHealth #VaccineHesitancy