Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC Board Approves Gender Equity Compensation Survey, Policy
One year after creating a task force to explore the issue, the MSDC Board of Directors approved a plan to further study gender inequality in physician compensation as well as endorse a series of actions to promote gender equality in DC medicine.
Impact: The Board has focused MSDC work over the next year on educating physicians and health systems on ensuring there is equality in compensation and treatment for all physicians.
Background: The task force's report was one agenda item discussed at the Board of Director's first meeting of 2023. Last year, it created a Gender Equity Task Force with the mission to study what data was known about gender inequality in medicine in DC, and how to address it.
The task force found data from national studies but none specifically for the District.
They recommended the following actions, all of which were adopted:
- Extend the task force for another year to complete its work
- Endorse the AMA's policy on Gender Disparities in Physician Income and Advancement
- Endorse legislation in DC promoting gender equality in medicine
- Create a plan to ensure equitable representation in the Society's volunteer leadership
- Develop gender equity training and add to MSDC website
- Conduct a compensation survey with partners to explore inequality in physician compensation.
What else? Last night the Board also approved hiring Global Navigators to conduct its strategic planning sessions. The Board also approved an updated Investment Policy Statement and heard an update from the Membership Committee on its proposed tiered membership.
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.