Take Action Against Anti-LGBTQ Healthcare Discrimination Bill in SC
Anti-LGBTQ bills are continuing to move in several different legislative committees in South Carolina – including this week in the House Judiciary Committee, which will hear H.4776 on Thursday, February 24.
This bill is the House version of the original S.811, the widely reviled Healthcare Discrimination Bill, which would grant any healthcare worker – including administrative staff – a broad “license to discriminate” against any group, based on the worker’s personal beliefs.
Please take action in these three ways:
1. Testify in Person: Come to Columbia, SC on Thursday, February 24 and testify against H.4776. The hearing will be held in Blatt 516 at the statehouse. To testify in person, you must sign up in Room 516 prior to the meeting. We are unaware of when the House will adjourn, so please be in Blatt no later than 11am. No virtual testimony will be accepted for this hearing.
2. Email Your Testimony: If you can't make it in person, please submit written testimony opposing H.4776. You can submit written testimony by emailing HJudSpecialLaws@schouse.gov and include “H4776” in the subject line.
3. Message the House: Additionally, message the House Judiciary Committee members individually. You can take action with SC United for Justice & Equality by clicking here and urging your lawmakers to #StopH4776SC.
Two weeks ago, following outrage from the South Carolina community, the Senate version of the bill was amended and remains fiercely anti-LGBTQ, by attempting to preempt localities from passing ordinances protecting LGBTQ minors from so-called 'conversion therapy.' The bill being heard tomorrow, H.4776, remains the original broad language arming healthcare workers with a "license to discriminate."
The impacts of this bill could not be more clear: H.4776 would make access to care much more difficult for LGBTQ people – especially in rural communities. More than half of LGBTQ South Carolinians already report fair or poor mental health, and nearly three-quarters of transgender South Carolinians say they struggle to get adequate care. We need to be improving healthcare access for all – not allowing anti-LGBTQ forces to opt out of providing care.
We can ensure that no healthcare provider turns LGBTQ people away because of their identity, but we need you to keep the momentum strong. Please join us.