DHEC’s new structure should provide SC citizens greater focus, efficiency and access | Opinion

‘Forward-thinking’ change

On July 1, the S.C. Dept. of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) became two distinct entities: the Department of Behavioral and Public Health and the Department of Environmental Services (DES).

DES will handle environmental regulatory functions from issuing permits to enforcing regulations. Greater efficiency in managing environmental permits, monitoring compliance and addressing issues like water quality and air pollution are needed; however, that comes at a cost — $60 million.

A dedicated environmental office provides more focused resource management to effectively address complex issues. The new department streamlines operations, enhances regulatory compliance and improves resources. The intended outcome is potential cost savings. Also, a focused approach ensures that violations are promptly addressed and regulations are effectively enforced.

Leadership in the new office is crucial.

Myra Reece, a 30-year veteran of DHEC, has been appointed as the first DES director. Her experience and formal training at both Clemson and USC position her well to lead this new department.

Though startup costs are high, the forward-thinking move provides a cleaner organization to protect and manage South Carolina’s natural resources.

Focused expertise, improved efficiency and enhanced public engagement exemplify the value of this significant organizational change.

Benjamin Buck, Greer

Evaluate both men

Is Biden exhibiting loss of memory and mental acuity that goes beyond normal aging? Is Trump?

These are important questions that cannot be answered by a few revealing video clips of “senior moments.”

There are several plausible explanations for Biden’s alarming lapses in memory retrieval, train of thought and speech in the recent debate. One is simply fatigue and a normal “sundowning effect” in the elderly.

Sundowning is the term for a decrease in cognitive functioning that occurs late in the day/night. While the term is often associated with those with chronic dementia, it can describe a normal evening decline in memory and mental clarity that seniors experience.

In the interest of fairness and obvious comparisons between Biden and Trump, there is plenty of evidence of Trump’s “senior moments” from his speeches. There are instances of slurred speech, inability to pronounce words or even produce coherent sentences.

I believe both men need a comprehensive evaluation of their cognitive functioning by qualified professionals.

I think it’s reasonable for these evaluations to be kept private.

The public doesn’t need the details. We just need to know if these senior moments represent impairment beyond normal aging.

If the answer is yes, that candidate should step aside.

Yvonne Crisp, Irmo

Keep health program

I was proud to serve my country in the U.S. Navy.

After retiring, I looked for a health insurance program that would help me live a long and happy life as I aged. Thankfully, I found Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Advantage is a partnership between public and private entities that provides comprehensive health coverage for Americans over 65 and individuals with disabilities.

More than 33 million Americans — more than half of all those eligible for the program — choose Medicare Advantage because it provides better services, access to care and value. I love my plan because it covers all my healthcare needs from preventative medical tests to prescription drugs.

Currently, the program is at risk of losing funding, leaving 78% of senior voters with Medicare Advantage concerned about cuts to their benefits due to rising inflation rates.

A recent survey found that 7 in 10 senior voters believe the federal government should fund Medicare Advantage at a rate that fully covers increasing healthcare costs.

While the program may risk losing funding, senior citizens in South Carolina are blessed to have a fighter with Sen. Tim Scott.

We must ensure that the program remains strong for years and that more beneficiaries can enjoy it like I have.

With champions like Scott on our side, I am confident that we can work to keep Medicare Advantage the go-to choice for senior health care.

Nelson Taylor, Lexington