Behavioral health is a major public health issue in the District of Columbia. Sadly, many of the legislative and regulatory initiatives around behavioral health are tied to other public health concerns, such as opioid addiction, maternal mortality, and health equity.

In partnership with the Washington Psychiatric Society, AMA, and American Psychiatric Association (APA), MSDC works to ensure that patients receive appropriate support for behavioral health issues, that the practice of psychiatry is supported in the District, and that psychiatrists are available to patients in the District.

MSDC was a proud supporter of the Behavioral Health Parity Act of 2017, which enshrined into law that all health plans offered by an insurance carrier meet federal requirements of the Wellstone/Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

MSDC Statements and Testimony of Behavioral Health Issues

25th Council period information coming soon

Health Professional Loan Repayment Program Applications Close April 30

Apr 29, 2021, 11:11 AM by MSDC Staff

The HPLRP is a great opportunity for physicians to earn medical school loan repayment while working in an area of DC in need.

What is the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program?

The District’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) provides loan repayment to eligible health professionals practicing full-time at HPLRP-certified sites in health professional shortage and medically underserved areas (HPSAs and MUAs) in DC. The HPLRP assists certified sites to recruit and retain providers by providing loan repayment up to $151,841.29 over four years for physicians and dentists and $83,510.61 for all other eligible providers.

Eligible Providers

Licensed and Certified:
Physicians (MD, DO)
Dentists (DDS)

Other licensed and credentialed medical professionals including:

Dental hygienists
Registered nurses
Advanced practice nurses
Physician assistants
Licensed and credentialed mental health providers including:

Clinical social workers
Clinical psychologists
Professional counselors

Providers must be already employed or have a signed employment contract with an HPLRP-certified site at the time of application.

Both participants and sites must complete applications to participate in the HPLRP. Applications for sites are accepted on a rolling basis. Sites must recertify for the Program every two years. Provider applications are accepted during two application cycles: one in the early fall and one in the early spring. The application review process takes approximately 60 days, and awards are made based on program requirements and availability of funds.

Please see the DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program Guidelines for more information on provider and site eligibility.

Original Legislation [PDF]
Amended Legislation [PDF]
Certified Site Listing [PDF]
DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program Guidelines [PDF]

Sample of Legislation MSDC is Tracking in Behavioral Health

(see the whole list of bills here)

Suicide Prevention Continuing Education Amendment Act of 2019 (B23-543)

What does it do? The bill requires licensed health providers to complete 2 hours of CME on suicide prevention, assessment, and screening.

MSDC position: MSDC opposes the bill as written as the language does not encourage physician wellbeing or sufficient awareness of suicide prevention.

Current status: The bill had a hearing with the Committee on Health on June 10.