S.C. Attorney General presents check to Mercy Medicine Clinic

By Kevin Smetana
SCNOW.COM Multimedia Journalist
Published: July 23, 2008

S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster presented a $30,000 check to Mercy Medicine Clinic on Wednesday in front of about 60 people at a ceremony on the Carolinas Hospital System campus.

The money came from a more than $35 million settlement paid by CVS Caremark Corp. for overcharging customers for medication.

McMaster said he was one of 28 state attorneys general who sought money in the settlement, in which South Carolina was awarded about $450,000.

“I am happy to be here to play a small part in the great success of the Mercy Medicine Clinic,” McMaster said. “If we can help keep people well, we can sure do a lot for the community and for the country.”

Mercy Medicine, which provides health care to thousands of uninsured residents from Florence, Dillon and Williamsburg counties, will use part of the money for medical supplies and medication, executive director Kaye Allen said.

“This money is going to help out the poorest of people in those counties,” Allen said.

Allen approached the United Way on May 5 and told the organization there might be some money available to Mercy from the settlement.

David Barr, president of the United Way of Florence County, said the organization sent a letter to the attorney general that same day on behalf of Mercy Medicine asking for a portion of the settlement.

“We are proud to have played a minor role in (getting) this award,” Barr said. “It’s just wonderful to see that inquiry come to this kind of realization.”

Mercy Medicine provides primary medical care, as well as dental, retinal and pharmaceutical services to patients without health insurance.

The clinic, which operates with help from volunteer doctors, nurses and general members of the community, provided service to about 6,000 people last year, Allen said.

Many of Mercy Medicine’s patients live 200 percent below the national poverty level, Allen said.

“We chose Mercy Medicine Clinic because it has done a fabulous job,” McMaster said.  “They’re doing great work, and this is a small recognition and assistance from the state to help Mercy Medicine Clinic do more of the kind of work it’s doing.

“It’s a fine organization, and this is a way for the attorney general’s office and the state itself, through this settlement money, to help the people of this area.”

Mercy Medicine is located at 514-E S. Dargan St. in Florence. There is a satellite clinic at 124 Epps St. in Lake City.