Health Equity

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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.

 

The Physicians Foundation: Practice Issues Impacting Healthcare

Nov 15, 2022, 10:43 AM by MSDC Staff
If you think your practice is the only one at capacity, you're wrong. Most practices are facing major capacity issues, according to this new survey.

The much anticipated Part Three of The Physicians Foundation's 2022 Survey of America's Physicians was released Tuesday. The report focuses on physician practices and challenges facing them today. The data comes from a survey in the fall of 2022 and is based on over 1,500 physician responses.

Some of the key findings include:

  • More than half of physicians do not have positive feelings about the current or future state of medicine
  • More than one on five physicians would like to retire in the next five years
  • 90% report shortages of registered nurses
  • Nearly half of physicians report being at full capacity in their practice

Some of the solutions identified include:

  • Increasing reimbursement for handling questions via email or phone
  • Building partnerships to increase public health & preventative health discussions on issues like vaccinations
  • 93% identified simplifying/streamlining prior authorization as important

You can see and read the entire report 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.