Democratic Senate candidate Andrews tours rural South Carolina, pitches health care plan

ALLENDALE, S.C. (WTOC) — Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Annie Andrews stopped by a church in Jasper County and a rural hospital in Allendale, explaining her plans to lower health care costs and protect rural hospitals throughout South Carolina after hearing from people directly affected.

Access to health care is one of voters’ top priorities heading into the November election, according to voters interviewed.

Jasper County forum raises veteran and Medicaid concerns

Andrews, a former pediatrician, made her first stop Monday morning in Jasper County. People who live in the community attended her forum to explain their concerns with health care in the Lowcountry. Many raised what they consider red flags about veteran health care and Medicaid.

Dr. Vashti Washington Kimbrough, an attendee, said her concern would be about the quality health care program, particularly with Medicare.

Alvin Harris, senior pastor, and veteran, said he’s experienced firsthand struggling to get healthcare as a veteran, and insurance companies are putting a value on people’s lives.

“They are denying care because there is no profit in them,” Harris said. “So we should not be the subject of profiteering.”

Andrews addressed those concerns about local veterans struggling receive healthcare and noting that they deserve better.

“The veteran suicide crisis and how so many of our veterans who put their lives on the line for this country, particularly veterans who are living here in Jasper County, feel totally abandoned by the system that should be built to serve them,” Andrews said.

Andrews was asked what steps she would take, if elected, to address voters’ concerns about proposed budget cuts.

“I will fight on day one,” Andrews said. “I will be doing everything I can to stop these budget cuts because it will devastate health care for all of us. It’s not just going to impact people who are currently on the Medicaid program. It will affect all of us. Hospitals will close, emergency departments will be understaffed and overcrowded, and we just cannot let that be.”

Candidate visits Allendale hospital

Andrews also toured Allendale County Hospital and spoke with health care workers about the role the hospital plays for the rural community.

“Rural hospitals are sort of the unsung heroes of South Carolina’s health care system, and we have to do everything we can to ensure that they can stay open to meet the needs of the community members here,” Andrews said.

Andrews also addressed how she plans to keep costs low for South Carolinians.

“Purchase a public health care plan rather than a private insurance plan,” Andrews said. “And over time, that will reduce their influence on the market, that will reduce the amount of money that we are spending to prop up insurance company profits.”

Graham campaign responds

A spokesperson for Sen. Darline Graham’s campaign said Graham believes the country needs a health care system that is more transparent and competitive to drive down prices and make the industry cater to patients rather than big insurance, hospital and pharmaceutical companies.

“Adding more government intrusion into our healthcare system will only worsen the problem,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said good health care also relies on sound judgment regarding topics like transgender hormone replacement therapies for minors, and said Andrews has supported such treatments. The spokesperson also said Andrews denounced passage of a bill providing $200 million in funding for South Carolina’s rural health providers in 2026, and said Andrews will support a Democratic plan to have Washington take over the health care system.