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.

 

Nominating Committee Releases 2023-2024 Board Slate

Aug 28, 2023, 08:43 AM by MSDC staff
Meet the new MSDC Board nominees and vote for the slate today!

 

The Nominating Committee of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is pleased to present the 2023 leadership election slate for the officer and director positions of MSDC. This is your opportunity to elect the physicians who will serve on the MSDC Board of Directors and provide critical input and leadership on issues that the Medical Society will address in the year ahead.

Your colleagues below look forward to serving on your behalf. Active MSDC members received a ballot via email, so we encourage you to vote through that link today!

MSDC 2023-2024 Leadership Election Candidates
President-elect: Dr. Dock Winston
AMA Delegate: Dr. Neal Barnard
AMA Alternate: Dr. Susanne Bathgate
At-large: Dr. Ida Bergstrom
At-large: Dr. Anthony Ibe
At-large: Dr. Michael Knight
At-large: Dr. Kirstiaan Nevin
At-large: Dr. Desiree Pineda

Candidate bios

 

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.