Nurse Mark Baer opposes South Carolina's House Bill 3457 citing patient safety concerns
March 04, 2025 | Judiciary, Standing, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, South Carolina
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The House Judiciary Committee's Domestic Relations, Business & Probate Laws Subcommittee convened on March 4, 2025, to discuss House Bill 3457, which has sparked significant public concern and opposition. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and concerned citizens, who voiced their strong objections to the proposed legislation.
One of the key speakers, who identified as a survivor of trauma, highlighted the potential dangers of the bill, particularly its implications for children and families. They expressed concern over the financial struggles faced by many families in South Carolina, noting that 44% of the population cannot afford basic necessities and that 19% of children live below the poverty line. The speaker criticized recent budget cuts to essential programs like SNAP and Medicaid, arguing that these measures undermine support for vulnerable families rather than protect them.
Mark Baer, a registered critical care nurse and father of three, also spoke against House Bill 3457. He emphasized that the bill's limited exceptions for life-threatening situations could lead to dangerous delays in medical care. Baer warned that such legislation forces healthcare providers to act as legal gatekeepers rather than focusing on patient care, which could have dire consequences for those in need of timely medical intervention. He pointed out that the bill's restrictions could particularly harm survivors of violence, who may face additional barriers to accessing necessary care.
The subcommittee meeting included a break after approximately an hour and a half of testimony, allowing for more speakers to be heard from an overflow room. The chair expressed a commitment to accommodating as many voices as possible, indicating the high level of public interest and concern surrounding the bill.
Overall, the discussions during the meeting underscored the contentious nature of House Bill 3457, with strong calls from the medical community and advocates for the protection of women's and children's health. The subcommittee's next steps remain to be seen as they continue to deliberate on the proposed legislation.
One of the key speakers, who identified as a survivor of trauma, highlighted the potential dangers of the bill, particularly its implications for children and families. They expressed concern over the financial struggles faced by many families in South Carolina, noting that 44% of the population cannot afford basic necessities and that 19% of children live below the poverty line. The speaker criticized recent budget cuts to essential programs like SNAP and Medicaid, arguing that these measures undermine support for vulnerable families rather than protect them.
Mark Baer, a registered critical care nurse and father of three, also spoke against House Bill 3457. He emphasized that the bill's limited exceptions for life-threatening situations could lead to dangerous delays in medical care. Baer warned that such legislation forces healthcare providers to act as legal gatekeepers rather than focusing on patient care, which could have dire consequences for those in need of timely medical intervention. He pointed out that the bill's restrictions could particularly harm survivors of violence, who may face additional barriers to accessing necessary care.
The subcommittee meeting included a break after approximately an hour and a half of testimony, allowing for more speakers to be heard from an overflow room. The chair expressed a commitment to accommodating as many voices as possible, indicating the high level of public interest and concern surrounding the bill.
Overall, the discussions during the meeting underscored the contentious nature of House Bill 3457, with strong calls from the medical community and advocates for the protection of women's and children's health. The subcommittee's next steps remain to be seen as they continue to deliberate on the proposed legislation.
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