SC Senate confirms new health department director The South Carolina Senate confirmed Dr. Edward Simmer Thursday morning to be the next director of the state s Department of Health Environmental Control in a 40-1 vote. (Source: DHEC) By Patrick Phillips and Adam Mintzer | February 4, 2021 at 12:49 PM EST - Updated February 5 at 5:46 AM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Senate confirmed Dr. Edward Simmer as the new director of the stateâs Department of Health and Environmental Control Thursday morning.
Gov. Henry McMaster released a statement on Simmerâs confirmation:
Dr. Simmer has a lifetime of experience leading large, complex medical organizations and has successfully brought positive change everywhere he has been. He clearly has all of the professional qualifications and leadership skills necessary to lead the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The people of South Carolina will b
New Calif. Laws Slice Drug Costs, Force Insurers to Cover Substance Abuse Disorders
By Quinci LeGardye, California Black Media
Published February 4, 2021
(Courtesy photo)
Two new California laws that took effect Jan. 1 aim to make access to quality health care more equitable and affordable.
SB 855, written by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, expanded the California Mental Health Parity Law, requiring California health plans to provide full coverage for medically necessary treatment of all mental health and substance-use disorders defined by the American Psychiatric Association.
Under that law, “medically necessary treatment” is defined as a covered service that is consistent with generally accepted standards set by professional associations. SB 855 also prohibits an insurer from limiting benefits for chronic conditions to only cover short-term or acute treatment.
Updated: 1:44 PM EST February 4, 2021
COLUMBIA, S.C. The South Carolina Senate has confirmed the new director for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
Senators approved Dr. Edward Simmer to lead the state s health agency after the organization held an interim director for the past few months. Dr. Simmer was chosen in December by the board to serve as the new director.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster released a statement following the confirmation.
“Dr. Simmer has a lifetime of experience leading large, complex medical organizations and has successfully brought positive change everywhere he has been. He clearly has all of the professional qualifications and leadership skills necessary to lead the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The people of South Carolina will be well served by his confirmation.”
SC Senate confirms Simmer as new DHEC director Marcus Navarro, Greenville News
Update, Feb. 4: The South Carolina Senate confirmed Dr. Edward Simmer to lead the Department of Environmental Control on Thursday. It is an honor to be called on to serve the state that I proudly call home during this unparalleled moment in the history of our state and nation,” Simmer said in an emailed statement. “DHEC’s mission to protect and promote the health of the public and the environment on behalf of all South Carolinians is something I take very seriously. From the frontlines to our living rooms, COVID-19 has challenged us all. We have made sacrifices and lost loved ones. However, together, with agency staff and our many partners, I am confident that we will get through this and come back stronger than before. I look forward to serving alongside DHEC’s incredible team of employees and am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.”
The winter blues are something well known to those who live closer to the poles, whether north or south. The lag in energy and feelings of sadness or anxiety tend to be greater during the cold, dark months.
This year, with the pandemic as well as social and political unrest, anxiety has tripled and depression has quadrupled among Americans, according to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that compared this year with 2019. It showed even worse statistics for younger people, who are isolated at a time of life when socializing is key. Expecting that older people would be having more difficulty during the pandemic, the survey found that an incredible 63% of people ages 18-24 reported an anxiety or depressive disorder.