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

MSDC President Gives Advice to Council on Post-Pandemic Health Issues

May 5, 2023, 08:34 AM by MSDC Staff

Dr. Bathgate listed for the Committee on Health a number of issues to take note of as the public health emergency winds down.

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.

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.