Horry County lawmaker wants U.S. withdrawal from World Health Organization

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WBTW) — Worried about its cozy ties to China and mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic, state Sen. Greg Hembree wants a national divorce from the World Health Organization.

The North Myrtle Beach Republican is sole sponsor of S. 868, a symbolic resolution asking Congress to split from the U.N. agency on behalf of all South Carolinians.

“Whereas, the WHO is not working in the interests of the American people. The WHO mismanaged its response to the Coronavirus disease pandemic and has continued to maintain an alarming dependence on China, the resolution says.

Whereas, the United States is a sovereign nation founded on the principles of freedom. We reject any assertion of authority over our nation or its citizens from foreign individuals or entitles, such as the WHO.”

A Senate Medical Affairs Committee voted 3-2 along party lines to support Hembree’s request. Nobody signed up to testify, prompting one member to ask for the resolution to be shelved until an expert witness is called on.

“I believe in institutions that are designed to combat certain ills in the world and I believe when the world comes together to address problems, that’s what we’re called upon to do,” said state Sen. Ronnie Sabb, D-Greeleyville. “When it comes to withdrawing from certain institutions that have had impact around the world, I want to hear about it.”

A portion of his Senate District 32 Georgetown, Florence and Horry counties.

In July 2020, then president Donald Trump notified the U.N. of his plan to withdraw from the WHO the following summer — a move Joe Biden halted on the first day of his presidency.

“The WHO plays a crucial role in the world’s fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic as well as countless other threats to global health and health security.  The United States will continue to be a full participant and a global leader in confronting such threats and advancing global health and health security,” Biden wrote in a letter to U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres in July 2021.

Hembree, who wasn’t in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Currently, the U.S. covers about 24 percent of the WHO’s budget, or $119 million.

Congressional Republicans have made WHO withdrawal a financial priority. In January 2023, the U.S. House approved a resolution backing Trump’s decision. It’s since picked up 53 GOP co-sponsors including U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, R-7th District.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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