Important Issues

MSDC President Dr. Susanne Bathgate testified before the Committee on Health Thursday about issues to watch for as COVID emergency measures end.

The roundtable explored what issues the Council needed to be aware of as federal and local public health emergency measures ended. Dr. Bathgate spoke on a panel with representatives of the DC Hospital Association, DC Primary Care Association, and Long Term Care Coalition.

Dr. Bathgate's comments focused on three areas: workforce, telework, and social determinants of health. Among the areas she highlighted to the Council were:

• The need to support small and independent practices as part of the DC healthcare infrastructure.
• Looking at impediments to practice like onerous medical liability and prior authorization requirements.
• How telework and office vacancies impact DC practices.
• The need for a robust social safety network focused on culturally competent care, healthier lifestyles, and whole-person medicine.