Get Involved
Learn more about our Your Care Is At Our Core Campaign to support the physician-patient bond.
Interested in learning more about MSDC's advocacy efforts, or getting more involved in advocating for your profession? Contact our office to learn more or complete the form below!
The Medical Society represents the physicians and patients of the District of Columbia in discussions with the Council of DC, the DC Departments of Health and Behavioral Health, the DC Boards of Medicine and Pharmacy, plus other members of the medical community.
The District has a different process for passing laws than the federal government. See "How a (DC) Bill Becomes a Law" for an overview of DC's policy-making process.
Keep track of upcoming advocacy events and hearing. Bookmark the MSDC calendar (found here) to see upcoming hearings and how you can testify. Or just contact MSDC/fill out the form below!
Health Care Legislation in the DC Council
Keep track of the bills moving through the Council that MSDC is following. View our online tracking sheet here.
Advocacy Curriculum Articles
MSDC Testimony at MCO Hearing
Today, MSDC President Dr. Dock Winston and Advocacy Committee Chair Dr. Klint Peebles testified before the Committee on Health at the Managed Care Organizations (MCO) roundtable. The roundtable explored how the MCOs are covering care in the District for the Medicaid population.
Dr. Winston's testimony focused on the issue of "downcoding" and the negative impact of downcoding on affordable care.
Downcoding is not just a billing tactic; it is a barrier to care. It forces physicians to spend hours appealing denials instead of seeing patients. It destabilizes independent practices that already operate on thin margins. And most importantly, it harms patients who risk losing access to thorough, comprehensive visits.
See Dr. Winston's testimony here.
Dr. Peebles testimony focused on MCO's compliance with the recently enacted prior authorization legislation.
The Prior Authorization Reform Amendment Act was an achievement to help provide equitable care to residents of the District. But without vigilant oversight, its promise risks being undermined. On behalf of our patients and the physicians who serve them, I urge this committee to continue demanding accountability and transparency from MCOs.