Health and Education, Policy Updates

WREN Testimony on 12-Month Supply of Contraception Bill

by WREN Staff on Mar 9, 2017

WREN is pleased to report that on International Women’s Day, H.3809, a bill that would require insurance providers to cover a one-year’s supply of birth control at a time, passed through subcommittee on to the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. Click here to watch the full video of the subcommittee hearing. And

News

House subcommittee unanimously approves 12-month supply of birth control legislation

Mar 8, 2017

House subcommittee unanimously approves 12-month supply of birth control legislation (Columbia, SC) Today, the House of Representatives’ 3-M (Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs) Health and Environmental Affairs subcommittee unanimously approved legislation (H.3809)  that would require insurance providers cover a 12-month supply of prescribed self-administered contraceptives – such as the ring, the patch and oral

Health and Education, Policy Updates

Spring into Action: WREN Policy Updates

by WREN Staff on Mar 3, 2017

In a recent poll conducted by Winthrop University, eighty-one percent of respondents favored requiring employers to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees, and nearly 70% favored requiring schools to base their reproductive health curriculum solely on evidence-based research. The people of South Carolina have spoken. Now let’s make it happen. Stand with WREN in advocating for

Advocate Stories, Freedom from Violence, Special Events

WREN: #WhyWeWalk

by WREN Staff on Mar 3, 2017

We’ve all heard the phrase “if only you were in my shoes.”  And now, the Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (STSM) is bringing those words to life. The “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” fundraising walk encourages the community to get involved in the fight against sexual violence and raises awareness about the local

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“South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act” drops in House with bipartisan support

Feb 28, 2017

Columbia, SC – February 28, 2017 The “South Carolina Pregnancy Accommodations Act” was introduced in the South Carolina House Representatives today with the support of Representatives Beth Bernstein, Greg Delleney and Robert Ridgeway. The legislation aims to help pregnant employees continue to work safely throughout their pregnancy by ensuring they can receive temporary and reasonable

Health and Education, Policy Updates

The Importance of Evidence-Based Health Education

by WREN Staff on Feb 23, 2017

We are over a month into our 2017-2018 legislative session, and are eager to share our first piece of introduced legislation: the Healthy Youth Act. This act would bring revisions to the outdated 1988 Comprehensive Health Education Act (CHEA) by ensuring the use of evidence-based, rigorously evaluated interventions, and by holding school districts accountable for

News

Columbia representatives lead bi-partisan call for 12-month birth control coverage

Feb 22, 2017

Columbia, SC – February 21, 2017 Today, Representatives Kirkman Finlay, Beth Bernstein introduced legislation, H. 3809, that would require insurance plans cover a 12-month supply of prescribed self-administered contraceptives – such as the ring, the patch and oral contraceptives – at one time. They are joined by Representatives Kit Spires, Neal Collins, James Smith and

Health and Education, Policy Updates

WREN Update: Pregnancy Accommodations

by WREN Staff on Feb 21, 2017

Providing a safe and inclusive workplace atmosphere to pregnant employees is crucial in maintaining a sustainable, healthy and productive workforce. Women must often stay employed throughout their pregnancy in order to sufficiently support themselves, and their families.  In fact, two out of three South Carolina women who gave birth last year were employed. Yet in spite

News

“Healthy Youth Act” Introduced in South Carolina House of Representatives

Feb 3, 2017

Columbia, SC – February 2, 2017 The “Healthy Youth Act,” H. 3663, was introduced in the South Carolina House of Representatives Thursday with bipartisan support. The “Healthy Youth Act” would update the 28 year old Comprehensive Health Education Act (CHEA) by holding school districts accountable for teaching all mandated health education and ensuring the use

Advocate Stories

Donor Acknowledgements

by WREN Staff on Feb 2, 2017

We all have wonderful women in our life who need to be recognized. Some of our generous donors have decided to honor these women who have had a significant impact. A group of friends from Greenville, South Carolina chose to give to WREN in memory of their friend Esther Rogers. Martha and David Dolge, Nancy