Behavioral Health
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
Five easy ways in May to reduce prior auths in DC
May is a HUGE month in the fight to reduce the prior auth burden in DC. Imagine a world with fewer insurance denials and when prior authorizations happen, they are more targeted and medically sound.
Fantasy? Not if you take a few minutes this month to do one or more of the following
- Testify on May 24 at the prior authorization bill hearing. It's easy and convenient. The hearing starts at 9:30 AM and is completely virtual. MSDC can even sign you up if you ask.
- Learn more about prior auth changes (and potential changes) by joining Dr. Patience White for a discussion on the state of prior authorization in DC. She will be joined by Council staff and the AMA to discuss the hearing and other updates.
- Want to testify at this hearing or a future one, but don't know how? MSDC President Dr. Susanne Bathgate is having a brief lunch session on testifying before the Council - learn more here.
- Let MSDC know you're interested in this issue. Seriously - that's it. We can't keep you up to date if we don't know.
- Sign our sign-on letter here.
We've been talking A LOT about prior authorization recently, and it is because our DC bill puts practical but effective limits on when insurers (private and public) can slap a prior authorization on your prescriptions. See here how.
But this great new reality won't happen if physicians, patients, and practices don't act now. The good news is it is easier than ever to make a difference.
Sample of Legislation MSDC is Tracking in Behavioral Health
(see the whole list of bills here)
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.