Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC To Host Online Healthcare Forum On Supreme Court Challenge To The ACA
On November 10-11, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in California v. Texas, the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, which could affect tens of millions of Americans and millions of healthcare professionals. To evaluate the potential impact of this case on health coverage, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) will host an online healthcare forum on Thursday, November 12 at Noon (Eastern). The forum, The Affordable Care Act Before the U.S. Supreme Court, will feature legal and medical experts who are co-signatories of a SCOTUS Amici Curiae filed by national public health leaders in May 2020. Washington area, national, and international healthcare colleagues, policymakers, and the public are invited to this open forum to discuss the impact of the ACA challenge on access to healthcare in America. Learn more at bit.ly/SCOTUSMSDC
This will be the third such Supreme Court challenge in less than eight years, but it will be the first with a reconfigured court, throwing the outcome of the case, and indeed the ACA, into question. The outcome could determine whether the Affordable Care Act can continue, posing severe implications for healthcare providers and the health insurance market, protection for people with pre-existing conditions, and more. Disruption in access to healthcare is especially worrisome during the current global pandemic, which has taken more than 230,000 lives in the United States.
Analysis of the proceedings will be provided by Professor Sara Rosenbaum, J.D., of the George Washington University, and Eliot Sorel M.D., former MSDC president. Professor Rosenbaum and Dr. Sorel are co-signatories of the SCOTUS Amici Curiae filed by national public health leaders in May 2020. This event is open to all those interested and is free of charge. Please register here for this unique and event. There will be ample time for questions.
Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked
What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.
MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools
Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.
What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).
MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.
Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.
What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.
MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.
Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.
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