"Alzheimer’s disease has a profound effect on the 216,000 family members who provide 355 million hours of unpaid care for their loved ones in South Carolina." read more
Rep. Bill Herbkersman and Rep. Weston Newton present Dennis Nielsen with the Order of the Palmetto, the highest award in the state, for all that he's done for the people of South Carolina.
The letter describes a “Total Wellness Program ... focused on preventative health initiatives.” The program is further described as “a Health and Accident Plan, not a fixed indemnity plan.” read more
“They’ll come in with a mental health issue and a drug problem, and … it’s one of these where they’re sent somewhere else. So there’s no economy of scales right there, but also two, it’s the worst thing we can do for our constituents if we’re putting money in this to get them well,” Rep. Bill Herbkersman (R-Beaufort) and the sponsor of the House bill, said during Wednesday’s debate. read more
"South Carolina has recently been identified as having the most fragmented healthcare delivery system in the nation, along with some of the worst healthcare outcomes. These two findings are clearly related and should ring alarm bells for anyone who cares about our state. In light of this finding, we believe the key to solving outcomes is creating a delivery system that is responsive, effective and accountable." - Rep. Bill Herbkersman + Rep. Weston Newton. read more
“He’s been supportive throughout the whole journey. “Without that legislative support we really wouldn’t be where we are now.” - Dr. James T. McElligott, a pediatrician at the MUSC and a co-chair of the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance. read more
Bill was deeply honored to receive the Caldwell Preservation Award from the Bluffton Historic Foundation. This esteemed accolade was graciously presented by the foundation.
The town said in a press release that the Beaufort County representative helped secure $800,000 from two state grants. This money went toward "the construction of the public dock and the new viewing access of the May River." read more
"We need to make sure that people that are doing petty crimes, like simple possession of marijuana, aren’t filling up our justice system; we need to save those spaces for violent criminals or people that are victimizing our community," read more
It was an honor to receive the Ambassador of the Year Award from the Behavioral Health Services Association of SC, Inc, presented by Steve Donaldson.
There's an art and a science to protecting machines and those who use them, and the Beaufort Digital Corridor is presenting a new series of three 8-week mini courses that will make it simple to learn. read more
Current happenings in the SC House of Representatives. see more
"The bill that has been introduced for South Carolina calls for a 10% tax rate on adjusted gross revenue. So it would be a real income producer for the state." read more
“Establishing continuous health care coverage during a new mother’s first year postpartum is critical to supporting strong family foundations,” - SCDHHS Director Robby Kerr. read more
“Lawmakers, like Representative Bill Herbkersman, hope to address the issue with state funding. The Republican from Beaufort earmarked $1 million in the state budget to help technical colleges expand their nursing programs.” read more
As June comes to a close, but as we still fight for #ENDALZ, I want to thank one more #Ask4Alz champion. This one is a bit more personal to me. When I took on the role of SC State House advocate for our cause, I was out of my depth, terrified. I shook when I walked the halls.
I had no idea where to even start my advocacy, but I knew what I was being asked. To create a position that kept the pulse of dementia in SC. And that meant asking for money. Sarah Hearn was an Angel sent & she got me in touch with Chairman Rep. Bill Herbkersman.
He graciously granted me an opportunity to testify before the members of the Healthcare Ways & Means committee. I didn’t sleep the night before, practicing my speech. When I was up to speak, my voice trembled. But I knew I was speaking for so many others.
Chairman Herbkersman smiled at me and asked me to begin. And on that day, I heard them vote to put the position in their recommendations. I heard their belief in this cause to #Ask4Alz. This position created a wave of momentum for this cause.
Since that vote, SC Dept on Aging has gone on to create an entire Caregiver and Alz Division, w/ a team of people to help those facing this disease in SC. In fact, Chairman Herbkersman supported an effort to continue to grow that support with a Dementia Care Specialist Prgm this year.
He has also helped navigate SC through applying for a coveted Alzheimer’s Disease Research Ctr application w/ Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), & University of South Carolina w/ one time funding of $10 mil to bring dementia research to our citizens locally.
If I had just one wish, I wish he would have been with me the day the Palmetto State was given this State Policy Achievement award, like he was when I, #babylobbyist, testified for the first time, for him. 💜To you, sir, my eternal thanks. You have helped so many. 🥹💜#ENDALZ
"...I believe if there’s a need, and you know you can fill it, you should.” ... “From there and working off of that motivation, good things will always happen.”
- Rep. Bill Herbkersman