Health, vision, veteran and youth programs seek funding; poison center highlights 61,000 consults

Several nonprofit organizations and programs presented to the Healthcare Subcommittee seeking continued or expanded support and describing services across the state.

Palmetto Poison Center: Dr. William Richardson, medical director of the Palmetto Poison Center, said the center is South Carolina’s only poison control center and operates 24/7. He said the center fielded more than 30,000 incoming calls in 2024 and roughly 61,000 phone consults including follow‑ups; about 53% of calls involved children under 18 and 20.8% of calls originated from healthcare facilities. Richardson said approximately 90% of callers from home were managed safely at home after consultation. “For every $1 of funding spent on a poison control center, an estimated $13 is saved in unnecessary health care costs,” Richardson told the committee, citing the center’s return‑on‑investment studies. The center described state and federal collaborations, disaster‑response work and plans to improve surge capacity and phone redundancy.

PACE Center for Girls: Allie Farmer, government affairs manager for PACE Center for…