Board of Medicine January Meeting Provides Regional Licensure Update

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.

Board of Medicine January Meeting Provides Regional Licensure Update

Jan 26, 2022, 18:30 PM by MSDC Staff

The Board provided updates, including on the licensed medical professional census.

MSDC attended the DC Board of Medicine’s monthly meeting today to reiterate its support for regional licensure reciprocity. The DC, Maryland and Virginia medical boards will meet over the next week to discuss process and next steps. Regular MSDC readers will recall that the Board of Medicine voted to move forward with regional reciprocity at its December meeting. With prodding from MSDC, Virginia and Maryland are moving towards greater interstate licensure coordination with the District.

The Board of Medicine indicated that it still has vacancies for physician and consumer members. If you are interested in applying or have questions regarding requirements, contact hay@msdc.org.

The Executive Director also provided the census report for DC Board of Medicine licensees. There are currently 11,844 physicians (MD, DO) licensed in the District. Below are the complete census figures.

MEDICINE AND SURGERY 11,302
OSTEOPATHY AND SURGERY 542
ACUPUNCTURIST 160
ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT 106
MEDICAL TRAINING LICENSE I(A) 1,187
MEDICAL TRAINING LICENSE I(B) 325
MEDICAL TRAINING LICENSE II 22
MEDICAL TRAINING REGISTRANT 957
NATUROPATH PHYSICIAN 63
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 1,020
POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNICIAN 2
POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGIST 60
POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TRAINEE 2
SURGICAL ASSISTANT 112
CHINESE HERBOLOGY 4
TOTAL 15,864

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.