LCI POSITIONS
HEALTHCARE
LCI supports the belief that healthcare is a right, not a responsibility. Every American has the right to affordable quality healthcare. We support candidates that will work to improve healthcare and prescription access for all and especially for South Carolina residents.
The following organizations have information and policies that support our values:
Kaiser Family Foundation: https://www.kff.org
Commonwealth Fund: https://www.commonwealthfund.org
Guttmacher Institute: https://www.guttmacher.org
VETERAN’S ISSUES
Low Country Indivisible supports Veterans via the stated priorities of the American Legion, an organization comprised of nearly 2 million U.S. military veterans and active service members. It is a resolution- based organization, and its views represent the views of the members. The Legion’s views are noted in , with additional comments from LCI
1. VA HEALTHCARE MODERNIZATION
“The future of VA healthcare is a hybrid system consisting of inpatient and outpatient care, telehealth, and community care. Congress must ensure that VA has the most efficient technology and infrastructure needed to reach Veterans no matter where they reside.” In addition, Low Country Indivisible strongly opposes efforts to privatize VA.
2. SUICIDE PREVENTION & PEER SUPPORT
“The VA must expand and enhance their peer support services to encompass a wide variety of Veterans’ needs.” There were 6261 Veteran suicides in 2019, a decrease from 5862 in 2018. This still represents 31.6 suicides per 100,000 population compared to a non-veteran rate of 16.8 per 100,000 (VA.gov). LCI supports increased quality and availability of VA mental health services.
3. IMPROVE HEALTHCAE FOR WOMEN VETERANS
“Women are the fastest-growing demographic within the US Armed Forces…. VA, with congressional oversight, must improve and increase access to gender-specific services and programs for women Veterans.” In 2020, The Deborah Sampson* Act to Improve Care for Women Veterans established The Office of Women’s Health within the VA. It provides for more women’s health clinicians, improves counseling for women, and improves newborn and child care. It includes additional legal services for women Veterans and requires the Secretary of VA Affairs to create a comprehensive policy to end gender-based harassment and sexual assault (Mason Veterans & Service Members Legal Clinic; Jan. 25, 2021). About 1 in 3 women Veterans and 1 in 50 male Veterans admit to military sexual assault on surveys (“Military Sexual Trauma Fact Sheet,” VA Mental Health; May 1, 2021). Note: Deborah Sampson was one of the first female US combat Veterans
4. GUARD & RESERVE GI BILL PARITY
“Congress must pass legislation that would expand GI Bill benefits to Army Reserve and National Guard service members for every day served while activated under state orders.” H.R. 1836-Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021” This Bill has passed the House and resides with the Senate Committee of Veterans Affairs.
5. ADDRESS TOXIC EXPOSURE & BURN PITS
“Over 3.5 million Veterans have been deployed in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and a disturbingly high percentage of them have been exposed to airborne toxic hazards during their service because of burn pits. Congress and VA must work to establish the presumption of exposure to all CWOT Veterans and pass comprehensive legislation to provide long overdue healthcare for Veterans suffering from the effects of toxic exposure.” In March 2022 the House passed HR 3967 “Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021.” This Bill is awaiting the president’s signature.
6. CITIZENSHIP FOR HONORABLE SERVICE
“Congress must implement programs to “ensure naturalization through honorable service” is completed before non-citizen Veterans are discharged, and pass H.R. 1182/S 3212, (Veteran Deportation and Reform Act), to provide protection to these Veterans and their families from deportation.” These Bills continue to languish in the Senate and The House. Supporting them is consistent with LCI’s long-standing support of a functional path to citizenship for legal immigrants and their children.
In addition to these priorities, LCI continues to subscribe to the following:
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Adequate funding must be preserved for the VA traditional direct are program
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Continued oversight of The Community Care System must continue to ensure a high level of quality health care
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Vigorous oversight and corrective action must safeguard Veterans from negligent and /or criminal acts by VA employees.
The following organization has information and policies that support our values:
The American Legion: https://www.legion.org/
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
LCI supports the protection and promotion of women’s rights, including equality and equity in the workplace, in all public and private institutions and in healthcare. Women’s right to choose and access to the full spectrum of healthcare services is a core tenet of our policy platform. We will support only those candidates who will promote and protect women’s rights.
The following organizations have information and policies that support our values:
American Association of University Women: https://www.aauw.org/
Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-south-atlantic
Women's Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN): https://www.scwren.org
Guttmacher Institute: https://www.guttmacher.org
National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (NARAL): https://www.prochoiceamerica.org
Columbia NOW: https://scwomenlead.net
League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org/other-issues
IMMIGRATION
LCI supports DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and immigration reform that is in keeping with the welcoming of individuals to share in the opportunities available in the United States.
The following organizations have information and policies that support our values:
ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/issues/human-rights/human-rights-and-immigration
South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center is an advocate for low-income South Carolinians on issues such as health care, immigration, reentry issues, housing, education, hunger, public benefits, domestic violence, and consumer issues.: https://www.scjustice.org/brochure-categories/immigration/
League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org/other-issues
ENVIRONMENT
LCI believes the need is urgent to protect our land, water and air against the forces of climate change. We will support candidates who recognize the science of global warming and will work to legislate changes necessary to address this crisis.
The following organizations have information and policies that support our values:
Coastal Conservation League: https://www.coastalconservationleague.org/ -- Request news updates, read in-depth stories published every six months. Includes past CCL media releases and Blog posts. Information is organized by region: Charleston, North Coast, South Coast and Statewide.
Conservation Voters of SC: https://www.cvsc.org/ The CVSC agenda includes Water, Land protection, Energy, Waste, and Citizens' Rights to clean water and air. The website focuses on SC environmental legislation with a scorecard rating legislators on their votes. It offers a Good Green Deeds Archives by legislative session.
League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org/other-issues
GUN SAFETY
LCI believes that sensible gun sales and permitting regulation, gun safety training, and integration of police and civil rights training are essential to a safe, democratic society.
The following organizations have information and policies that support our values:
Everytown For Gun Safety: https://www.everytown.org/
Moms Demand Action: https://momsdemandaction.org/
Students Demand Action: https://studentsdemandaction.org/
EDUCATION ISSUES
LCI believes in the importance of a strong system of public education that provides each and every child the opportunity to achieve his or her fullest potential in life.
The following organizations have information and policies that support our values:
SC For Ed: https://www.scfored.org/ – Driven by teachers from across the state. A good resource on SC specific issues current legislative issues: CRT, “Education Savings Accounts”, Salaries, Testing, Class size, and funding-to-base-student cost. Includes a function to help the viewer make contact with specific legislators.
Stand For Students: https://www.facebook.com/groups/135711307074553 -- a Beaufort County coalition of parents, and their public positions are on a dedicated Facebook page. Request admittance.
SC Education Association: https://www.thescea.org/
American Association of University Women: https://www.aauw.org/
League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org/other-issues
VOTING RIGHTS
LCI believes in the right of every American to vote, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or gender. Voting should be encouraged, rather than discouraged; more accessible than less; and easier rather than harder.
The following organizations have information and policies that support our values:
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: https://naacp.org/
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): https://www.aclu.org/
League of Women Voters: https://www.lwv.org/other-issues
American Promise: https://americanpromise.net/
LGBTQ+ RIGHTS
LCI believes that All Americans are entitled to liberty and justice regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
The following organizations have information and policies that support our values:
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD): https://www.glaad.org/
Forge, training for LGBTQ allies: https://forge-forward.org/
The Trevor Project, support: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Keshet, for LGBTQ equality in Jewish life: https://www.keshetonline.org/
2021 VOTER ANALYSIS
A valuable insight into 2021 Election results prepared by Jody Arthur.