Physician Voices for Patient Safety
On this page:
About the bill
Impact on patients in DC
Impact of physicians in DC
What can you do?
Resources
About the bill
In November 2023, DC Health introduced B25-545, the Health Occupations Revisions General Amendment Act of 2023. This bill is a comprehensive rewrite of the law overseeing medical licensing and regulation in Washington, DC.
Unfortunately, the bill as written would overhaul scope of practice, place allied health professionals in oversight positions of medical licensing, and remove the physician from the center of the care team.
MSDC has long advocated that a physician is the most qualified professional at the head of a care team. Physicians have the most health education and pre-practice experience of any health professional, and thus must be involved in all but the most mundane health care decisions. Allied health professionals are a valuable part of the care team, but their medical education and experience limits their role.
The Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is the leading voice for physicians in Washington, DC, committed to uniting physicians to advocate for physician-led health care in Washington, DC that protects patients from harm and increases access to quality care. MSDC is leading a coalition of Washington, DC specialty medical societies to advocate against the Health Occupations Revisions General Amendment Act of 2023.
Impact on patients
As currently written, the bill would weaken patient care by expanding the ability of non-physician professionals to practice medicine beyond their training. DC residents deserve access to proper medical care from professionals with the right knowledge and experience to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Impact on physicians
Below is a breakdown of some of the major changes the bill would introduce, click on the title to expand how the bill would change that item.
Currently the Board of Medicine is composed of 10 physicians and 4 members of the public. The bill as amended would reduce the number of physicians to 9 and adds 2 physician assistants but keep the four members of the public health.
The concern: The bill would codify that APRNs could independently diagnose, prescribe, and administer medicine.
The details: See the analysis from G2L Law Firm on the APRN provisions | See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council
The solutions: Independent Advanced Certified Nurse Practitioners should have a defined scope of practice limited to the following functions:
- Practice only in the field of certification;
- Comprehensive physical assessment of patients;
- Certify to the clerk of the court that an adult has given birth;
- Certify to the Transportation authority that an individual has special needs for certain health reasons;
- Complete date of birth and medical information on a birth certificate;
- Complete a death certificate if medical examiner does not take charge and deceased was under the care of the PN;
- Establish medical diagnosis of common short-term and chronic stable health problems;
- File a replacement death certificate;
- Issue a “do not resuscitate order” in medical emergencies;
- Order, perform, and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests;Prescribe drugs and devices under DC controlled substance Schedules II-V with a valid DEA license, and medical marijuana under DC laws;
- Provide emergency care within the scope of their skills;
- Refer patients to appropriate licensed physicians or other health care providers;
- Certify to utility company that a client has a serious illness or the need for life-support equipment;
- Witness an advanced directive;
- Sign off on home health/care orders.
The concern: As seen below, additional allied health professions are permitted to apply anesthesia. Most concerning is the scope expansion that could permit nurse anesthetists to practice without physician collaboration.
The details: See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council
The solution: This bill asks to repeal Section 603 of DC official code ₰3-1206.03, and this action will allow nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without an anesthesiologist or other physician's direct collaboration. Language seeking repeal of Section 603 of DC official code ₰3-1206.03 should not be included.
This bill adds Sec. 605a, which contains language that a CRNA may plan and deliver anesthesia, pain management, and related care to patients or clients of all health complexities across the lifespan. Language adding Sec. 605a should be removed from this bill.
The expands audiologists' scope to include "cerumen management" and "interoperative neurophysiologic monitoring" and permits audiologists to screen for cognitive, depression and vision.
The bill completely rewrites the definition of the practice of "chiropractic". Chiropractors could:
- Diagnose and treat biomechanical or physiological conditions that compromise neural integrity or organ system function
- Refer patients for further medical treatment or diagnostic testing
The details: See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council
The bill would not longer have physicians overseeing their work but instead a clinical laboratory director
The bill would expand pharmacists' scope to include:
- Ordering labs
- Scheduling and monitoring drug therapy
- Ordering, interpreting, and performing more tests
The details: See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council
The bill would permit physical therapists to independently evaluate and treat disability, injury, or disease. PTs may also order imaging as part of their treatment plan.
The concern: The bill expands podiatrists scope of practice to allow:
- apply anesthesia as part of treatment; and
- administer vaccines and injections.
The details: See our one-pager on this issue that you can share with colleagues and the Council
The solution: This bill amends Paragraph (14) of D.C. Official Code § 3-1201.02(14) to define "Practice of podiatry” to include the administration of local anesthesia, monitored anesthesia care, and conscious sedation. Other scope of practice expansions for podiatry include care of human hand and wrist, and administration of injections, vaccinations, and immunizations. Podiatrists should not be administering monitored anesthesia care. Podiatrists do not have the qualifications and training to manage a patient's airway so this language should be stricken.
Throughout the bill, restrictions on nursing scope of practice are removed or loosened throughout. Specific language outlining what and how nurses can practice is removed and replaced with more vague language giving the Mayor (read DC Health) the ability to dictate scope. This applies to many different nursing types, like APRNs and NPs.
Articles on scope of practice
Learn About Our New Strategic Vision
At our June Board of Directors meeting, the MSDC Board approved a new strategic vision for the Society. I am writing to share why this matters to you and your practice, and show some highlights of this plan.
First, let's talk about the process. This plan came through serious thought and consideration of the direction of the Society. To help focus the conversation, MSDC hired Global Navigators to facilitate conversations and provide an outside perspective. Global Navigators interviewed the Board and Executive Vice President, and held a half-day retreat one weekend to have some honest discussion. Two Board meetings included long conversations about the strategic plan and various drafts.
Second, let's discuss what is in our strategic plan. The plan includes (a) a mission statement, (b) a vision statement, (c) our core values, (d) a new diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging statement, and (e) our objectives and goals to implement them.
Mission Statement
To ensure physician and patient well-being in the District of Columbia through the promotion of high-quality accessible care in a changing healthcare environment.
Our mission is clear: your Society will work every day for you and your patients. We want the District to be a model of high-quality and accessible care even while recognizing that we face a rapidly changing world.
Vision Statement
To make the District of Columbia the nation’s model for patient care and physician practice.
The vision statement is the brief summary of our strategic vision, and we include it on every letter and written testimony we create. As you can see, we want to make DC a model across the country for how we care for patients and protect physicians practice, regardless of the type.
Core Values
Quality
Equity
Compassion
Our values go beyond scientific knowledge. The Society values and promotes sound medicine (like we have since 1817), but also medicine that treats people with equity and compassion. As we will see in the DEIB statement, we recognize that past medical
and Society practices may have downplayed these elements, but we now recognize that quality, equity, and compassion are essential to the practice of medicine and the mission of the Society.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
MSDC respects, welcomes, and celebrates all people and their diverse identities. We recognize the negative impact of health inequity across all facets of society. We are committed to working toward elimination of bias and healthcare disparities wherever they exist with the goal of ensuring that everyone belongs.
Our communities will flourish when we mutually celebrate and champion our unique strengths and diverse backgrounds.
This is MSDC's first equity statement, and we wanted to incorporate "belonging" to our DEI statement. We recognize that inequality has negatively impacted society and patient care, and your Society will work to eliminate bias and disparities. Not recognize or highlight, but eliminate. Our statement acknowledges that differences and diversity are a strength and we celebrate them in your Society's work.
Objectives and Goals
Objective 1: Become the Best Resource for Physicians Practicing in DC
- Build greater awareness of MSDC among individual physicians and physician groups
- Introduce MSDC to physicians new to the District of Columbia
- Engage medical students, residents, fellows, and early-career physicians with mentorship and support
- Engage licensed allied health professionals
Objective 2: Strengthen advocacy and outreach
- Ensure MSDC provides a home where physicians in DC belong
- Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging within medicine in DC
- Build on existing relationships that further expand MSDC’s voice for physicians and patients
- Extend outreach efforts by building new partnerships with key stakeholders
Objective 3: Ensure MSDC’s long-term Growth
- Build member and partner value to ensure long-term commitment to MSDC
- Increase the number of engaged members
- Introduce a sound business plan that reflects MSDC’s long-term strategy
- Optimize existing and explore new revenue streams
These are the three pillars on which our work and implementation of our plan will rest. The Society will execute our vision in three areas. First, your Society will provide resources to support physicians practicing in DC, no matter what type of practice, including engaging with all parts of your practice. Second, MSDC will grow what has consistently been our highest-rated member benefit, advocacy on behalf of the profession. Finally, we will continue to position the Society for sustained growth in the future despite uncertainty in the world around us.
That's our plan. How can you help or get involved? Sign-up to join one of our member groups or reach out to me via hay@msdc.org. We plan on this being a living document, guiding our work for the years to come.