Dr. Annie Andrews, a practicing pediatrician and candidate for the U.S. Senate, today launched a high-profile multi-city tour of South Carolina, vowing to take on “Washington corruption and BS” and fight for families “left behind” by soaring healthcare costs and political cuts.
Titled the “Patients and Prices Tour,” the campaign swing is taking the pediatrician and public health expert to Charleston, Rock Hill, and Bennettsville on Wednesday and Thursday. Andrews is showcasing her plan to lower the cost of prescription drugs, reverse recent cuts to Medicaid, and reduce insurance premiums.
“The corruption and BS coming out of Washington hurts real families, and our kids are paying the price,” Dr. Andrews said. “Washington politicians sell us out to donors and lobbyists, cutting healthcare for working families while letting prices spiral out of control. My tour is about fighting for the bright future all South Carolina children and their families deserve.“
Dr. Andrews, a mom whose own children attend public schools, began her tour Wednesday morning in North Charleston with a roundtable discussion on the affordability of cancer care. At the Park Circle Community Center, she met with cancer patients, survivors, and local support organizations to hear firsthand about the crushing financial burden often accompanying life-saving treatments.
On Thursday, the tour pivots to different healthcare challenges in different parts of the state.
At 10:00 AM, Andrews will visit Prime Family Pharmacy in Rock Hill, where she will meet with the pharmacy owner and community members. The discussion will focus on the dual squeeze of rising prescription drug costs and insurance premiums, and how these forces are straining the budgets of working families and local businesses.
In the afternoon, Dr. Andrews will travel to Bennettsville to stand before the now-shuttered Marlboro Park Hospital. She will hear directly from the Marlboro County community members directly impacted by the devastating loss of local healthcare access, highlighting the critical nature of reversing Medicaid cuts to save rural hospitals.
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Wednesday, October 7 (Charleston)
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10:00 AM — Cancer Care Affordability Roundtable
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Location: Park Circle Community Center, 4800 Park Cir., North Charleston, SC 29405
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Focus: Meeting with cancer patients, survivors, and local cancer support organizations to address the rising costs of cancer treatment and recovery.
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Thursday, October 8 (Rock Hill & Bennettsville)
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10:00 AM — Prescription Drug Costs & Insurance Premiums Roundtable
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Location: Prime Family Pharmacy, 1417 Riverchase Blvd, Suite 103, Rock Hill, SC 29732
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Focus: Discussion with a local pharmacy owner and residents regarding soaring drug prices and skyrocketing premiums.
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2:30 PM — The Cost of a Closed Hospital Community Forum
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Location: Marlboro Park Hospital, 1138 Cheraw St, Bennettsville, SC 29512
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Focus: Meeting at the now-shuttered facility with community members impacted by the loss of local healthcare access and rural hospital closures.
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