Latest News + Updates from Bill Herbkersman

6/30/24: Advocating for those suffering with alzheimer's and their families

"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

5/12/2024: Dennis Nielsen Awarded State's Highest Honor

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. read more

3/29/24: are state employee payroll deductions of the cost of a wellness plan authorized?

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

2/28/24: One week after Senate approval, SC House OKs bill to merge state agencies into 1

“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

1/24/24: SC reps: A bold proposal to make health care delivery better for you | Opinion

"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

12/11/23: 2023 State Legislative Telehealth Champion SC Representative Bill Herbkersman

“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

8/11/23: Mayor's Memo: Bluffton celebrates dock renovation as it honors lawmaker

"Town leaders installed a sign at the entrance of the dock that reads, 'Dedicated to S.C. Rep. William G. 'Bill' Herbkersman with gratitude for his decades of public service. Herbkersman was instrumental securing funding which helped build this dock, preserve Bluffton’s 'State of Mind,' and welcome the public to the May River for years to come.” read more

7/18/23: Historic Bluffton Foundation announces 'Bricks' fundraiser

"Herbkersman has helped the town of Bluffton obtain more than $12 million in funding for Bluffton projects to preserve the town's water quality and infrastructure. He's supported various historic preservation projects, and 'his vision has had a tremendous positive impact on development in Historic Bluffton." read more

4/21/23: ‘4/20 BILL’ AIMS TO REDUCE INCARCERATIONS RELATED TO MARIJUANA POSSESSION

"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

4/29/22: SC LEGISLATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING

"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

3/29/22: MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR EXPECTING MOTHERS EXTENDED TO 12 MONTHS POSTPARTUM: SCDHHS

“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

7/15/21: STATE FUNDING AIMS TO ADDRESS NURSING SHORTAGE IN SC

“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

Advocating for Alzheimer's Patients + their Famil

June 2024: A Facebook post from Taylor Wilson, Alzheimer's Advocate

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