New Public Health Services Takes Over in South Carolina on July 1st: What You Need to Know

In South Carolina, a new agency will be taking over public health services on July 1st, replacing the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). This change was made after Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law last year to restructure state agencies.

Dr. Edward Simmer, the interim director of the Department of Public Health, assures that services such as obtaining birth certificates and requesting immunization records will largely remain the same. The office’s phone number will remain the same, and visitors to DHEC’s website will be redirected to the new Department of Public Health page.

The reorganization gives health officials an opportunity to improve how they serve the people of South Carolina, with a focus on enhancing outreach and engagement efforts. Dr. Simmer emphasizes the importance of improving the state’s overall health ranking, currently 45th out of 50 states.

While this change may seem significant, those who use health services in South Carolina can expect to receive the same level of care and service from familiar faces. Future reorganization efforts may be on the horizon, as a bill to merge six state agencies into one was narrowly missed earlier this year, with plans to revisit the proposal in upcoming legislative sessions.