Currently the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (S.C. DHEC) provides services to any woman of childbearing age regardless of religion, race, color, national origin, creed, handicap, sex, number of pregnancies, national status, age or contraceptive preference. However, an appointment for a pap smear cannot be made if you have had a surgery preventing you from getting pregnant (tubal). 

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (S.C. DHEC) is discriminating against women for their contraceptive preference and age. The public health care needs of women are being ignored and this is a growing concern. According to the U.S. Patient Bill of Rights, all patients have the right to considerate and respectful care. A low-income woman with a tubal ligation should have the same right to a pap smear as a low-income woman without a tubal ligation. Low-income women not of childbearing age should have the right to a pap smear as well. With the growing numbers of women contracting the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), cancer, HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) we should be focusing on providing better public health care for low-income individuals.

On Monday, February 22^nd, 2010 I will present a speech and this petition to the Charleston County Legislative Delegation Office. I am expressing my concern for women in Charleston County and the state of South Carolina. With your help we can work together as a community to reform women’s public health care in Charleston County and possibly the state of South Carolina. By signing this petition you are making a difference in your community for every woman.

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