Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
Copay Accumulator Bill Passes First Council Reading
On Tuesday, the DC Council voted unanimously for the first time on B25-141, the Copay Accumulator Amendment Act.
This legislation is one of the physician community's top priorities and this vote quickly moves the bill towards final Council passage.
B25-141 as introduced would require health insurers to apply discounts, financial assistance, payments, product vouchers, or other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses made by or on behalf of a member when calculating the member’s coinsurance, copayment, cost-sharing responsibility, deductible, or out-of-pocket maximum for a covered benefit.
The legislation passed the Committee on Health on March 20. Last year the bill had a hearing before the committee and included multiple physicians and patent advocates speaking in favor of the legislation.
The next step for the bill is a second Council vote, likely on May 2. If the bill is voted upon without changes and passes, the legislation is passed and is sent to the Mayor.
Passing this legislation in May would mean May would include two major victories for physicians: passing the Copay Accumulator Amendment Act and the first DC hearing ever on prior authorization legislation. MSDC members interested in learning more are invited to join advocacy leadership at our webinar on physician Council issues on April 19.
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.