Statement from Vicki Ringer on DHEC Regulation Delay

Statement from Vicki Ringer, South Carolina Director of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic

“We are extremely grateful for the decision of the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) to suspend their action of proposing new regulations on abortion providers while they take into account South Carolinians’ voices. This decision makes clear that the people of South Carolina spoke out loudly and in huge numbers to say that these proposed restrictions have no place in our state.

The regulations sought to impose a series of medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion providers, creating an undue burden on women seeking safe, legal abortion care. This was already found unconstitutional this past summer in the Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt case, and the scope of comments make it evident that South Carolinians are not interested in fighting this battle in our state, or making access to safe and legal abortion even more difficult.

We are encouraged by DHEC’s decision, and hope that, going forward, the revisions will not be based in politics, but rather reflect the constitutional protections of medical care. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is committed to fighting for the women of South Carolina and will not stop until the threat of unnecessary burdens and unconstitutional limitations are no longer placed on women, as well as the providers who continue to provide care, no matter what.”