Media Contact

Shaundra Scott, (843) 720-1423 ext. 202, sscott@aclusc.org

August 28, 2017

CHARLESTON, SC – “Governor McMaster’s sudden executive order cutting off all public funding to abortion clinics in South Carolina is not just callous and short sighted, but a thinly-veiled political stunt that will result in low-income women and families being unable to get the basic healthcare they need.

Longstanding federal law already prohibits Medicaid money from being used to pay for abortions, with the exceptions for cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is in danger.  There were 22 such exceptions between 2011 and 2016.  Indeed, the vast majority of Medicaid reimbursement is to clinics for gynecological exams, cancer screenings, well-care visits and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) treatments. 

Compared to the rest of the country, South Carolina ranks 42nd for overall health status, and 48th in incidences of STI.  Cutting off funding for clinics who provide abortion services will have little effect on the number of abortions being performed, but will have a devastating impact to what is already a dire situation in terms of public health and wellness.

The governor is putting a political agenda ahead of the health and dignity of families in our state.  We cannot sit quietly and allow this to happen.  We need to speak out.  We need to look beyond political debates and remember that real people in our communities are going to get hurt if this executive order is allowed to stand.”

This statement is at: https://www.aclusc.org/en/press-releases/statement-gov-mcmasters-executi...