New Era for Public Health in South Carolina: Reorganization and Improvement of Health Services

On July 1, a new agency will take over public health services in South Carolina, replacing the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). This change comes after Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law last year to restructure state agencies. The new agency overseeing public health will join another agency focusing on environmental services.

Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of the Department of Public Health, assures that services like obtaining birth certificates and requesting immunization records will remain largely the same. The office’s phone number will stay 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.

Although the restructuring is a significant change, 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.