SC: 41 of 46 counties are Health Professional Shortage Areas

This is not health care—it’s structural NEGLECT. This drives social determinants of health: • lost income from untreated illness • poor school outcomes for kids • rural decline - become medically underserved and economically stagnant • worse physical and mental health Fix it by: • grow workforce (loan repayment, incentives) • expand NP/PA authority • invest in community care + telehealth • cut insurance barriers Fix the structure → improve access. https://ciceroinstitute.org/research/south-carolina-physician-shortage-facts/