Full Breakdown
Pediatrician Annie Andrews Runs for Senate on Health-Care Access Platform
7/15/2026, 12:54:23 AM
Senate Campaign and Health-Care Focus
Annie Andrews, a pediatrician from South Carolina, has entered the U.S. Senate race, positioning health-care access and affordability as the central issues of her campaign. In a recent interview, she argued that confronting “bad politics” requires direct political engagement, framing her candidacy as a response to what she describes as the politicization of pediatric health care under the current administration.
South Carolina Health-Care Landscape
Andrews highlighted several systemic challenges in the state: South Carolina has never expanded Medicaid, leaving 15 counties without an obstetrician-gynecologist and placing multiple rural hospitals at risk due to anticipated Medicaid budget cuts. She also cited the April 2025 measles outbreak—nearly 1,000 cases—as evidence of the lingering impact of policies from the Trump administration on children’s health. Federally qualified health centers have already closed, further limiting care options for many residents.
Andrews’ Policy Proposals
The candidate’s platform calls for lowering prescription-drug prices, removing private-equity ownership from health-care providers, and, unusually, pursuing impeachment of RFK Jr. She contends that these steps are necessary to restore trust in the health-care system and to protect vulnerable patients from political interference.
Verbatim Quotes
- “South Carolina is a state that never expanded Medicaid. We have 15 counties without an ob-gyn, we have multiple rural hospitals on the chopping block because of the impending Medicaid budget cuts. We have federally qualified health centers that have already closed their doors. So no matter where I am across the state, that issue comes up in every conversation I’m having with voters,” — Annie Andrews
- “You cannot fight bad politics by staying apolitical.” — Annie Andrews
- “So the only way to fight back against the politicization of pediatric health care and health care as a whole in this country is by engaging in politics on the other side,” she said.” — Annie Andrews
- “Andrews says she wants to lower the cost of prescription drugs, get private equity out of health care, and impeach RFK Jr.” — Annie Andrews
- “She pointed to the April 2025 measles outbreak of nearly 1,000 cases in South Carolina as one example of how the Trump administration has harmed children.” — Annie Andrews
Criticism & Opposition
The source material consists of a commentary piece and does not provide statements from opponents, party officials, or health-care experts. Consequently, no documented criticism or alternative viewpoints are presented within the available excerpts.
