DC Ends Public Health Emergency - Now What?

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

DC Ends Public Health Emergency - Now What?

Jul 27, 2021, 15:14 PM by MSDC Staff

Licensure waivers will be ending soon as the Mayor transitions some governance back to regular order.

On Saturday, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor's Order 2021-096 to update and extend the District's Public Emergency but end the District's Public Health Emergency. Both had been in effect since March 11, 2020.

The Mayor is continuing the public emergency to permit some flexibility in handling changes to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include continuing to receive federal reimbursement, adjusting government personnel, implementing preventative measures for medically vulnerable people, and establishing vaccination/mask requirements.

The end of the public health emergency does end a number of allowances to address the pandemic. Specific to medicine are two deadlines of note. First, healthcare professionals operating under the licensure waiver for DC Health have 60 days to continue operating before their permission expires. The intent is to allow providers time to apply for a full license, although MSDC has heard wait times for licenses often exceed this time. MSDC is working with other associations and DC Health to create new pathways to retain these providers. Second, the Certificate of Need waiver expires August 24.

You can read the entire release here.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

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.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

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.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

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.