Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC Announces 23rd Council Period Report Card
As MSDC prepares for 2021 and a new Council period, the Society is pleased to share a "report card" on its advocacy activities for the 23rd District Council period (2019-2020).
The two-year period that just ended saw a surge of physician advocacy on important medical issues. COVID-related advocacy dominated the second half of the session, but numerous issues saw physicians testifying and MSDC staff working with lawmakers to protect practices and patients. The past Council session also saw MSDC's new issue priority ranking, policy agenda, and advocacy website.
In addition to encouraging physicians to testify directly to lawmakers, MSDC partnered with other healthcare associations and entities to pass legislation to make the District the best place to practice medicine.
You can see a brief summary of the advocacy report card here and the full report card here, but some areas of success of the physician community include:
- Permitting reimbursement for audio-only telemedicine
- Allowing for patients to receive FDA approved biosimilar drugs
- Prohibiting retribution from employers for physicians practicing reproductive health medicine
- Expanding insurance coverage requirements for newborns, parents, and pregnant women
- Limiting out-of-pocket costs of insulin for patients
- Defeating three different content-specific CME requirements
In addition to working on issue-specific legislation, MSDC members and leaders testified on the following issues:
- Protecting independent practices in underserved medical areas
- Providing support for independent physician practices during COVID-19
- Promoting physician wellbeing and addiction programs, and not unduly punishing physicians suffering from burnout or addiction
In 2021, MSDC will unveil an expanded, engaging advocacy program that will assist physicians in advocating on issues important to them, as well as equipping them to speak out on these issues. Keep an eye on our website for more information.
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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