Women's Health
MSDC has long advocated for women's health protections, the rights of women physicians, and affordable care for women's issues. MSDC works closes with ACOG, AAFP, AAP, and other specialty organizations to craft local legislation that allows DC to be the best place to practice women's and maternal medicine.
In the face of a maternal mortality crisis in the District, engagement in these issues is more important than ever. Learn more about how MSDC is working to protect the health of women, mothers, and babies in all wards in the city.
MSDC Statements and Testimony on Women's Health Issues
25th Council information coming soon!
Vaccine Rollout, Budget Hearings Offer Opportunities for Physician Advocacy
The announcements by the DC Council and DC Committee on Health of hearings in the next few months offer physicians an opportunity to speak up on important healthcare issues.
Earlier this week, Committee on Health Chair Vincent Gray announced a two-day hearing on the COVID vaccine rollout strategy. In the hearing notice (see here) the committee states it will, "examine the District’s COVID-19 vaccination process, and will be conducted over a two-day period... Issues that will be discussed include: the effectiveness of the District's vaccinate.dc.gov enrollment portal and call-in number, the enrollment process, communication and outreach, and the equitable prioritization of vaccines."
Anyone interested in testifying is asked to contact the committee by January 28 at 6 PM. Any physician who wishes to testify and would like assistance from MSDC can contact Robert Hay at hay [at] msdc.org or call the MSDC hotline.
In addition, the Council announced this week its 2020-2021 Performance Oversight and 2022 Budget Hearing schedules. These hearings are opportunities for individuals and organizations to draw attention to healthcare issues that are either underfunded, unfunded, or not in the Council's awareness; or to provide comments on the performance of government agencies. Last year, MSDC Board member Laurie Duncan, MBBS, testified during the DC Health performance hearing on the importance of partnership in handling physician wellbeing. Then-President Desiree Pineda also testified in the summer on specific line items in the District budget including the Health Professionals Loan Repayment Program.
The schedule for health agencies is below:
Oversight Hearings
Friday, February 12 – 9 am - 6 pm
Health Benefit Exchange Authority/Department of Behavioral Health
Thursday, March 4 – 9 am - 6 pm
UMC/DMHHS/Department of Health Care Finance
Friday, March 19 – 9 am - 6 pm
Department of Health
Budget Hearings
Friday, April 9 – 9 am - 6 pm
UMC/DMHHS/Department of Health Care Finance
Wednesday, April 28 – 9 am - 6 pm
Department of Health
Friday, April 30 – 9 am - 6 pm
Health Benefit Exchange Authority/Department of Behavioral Health
Sample of Legislation MSDC Followed in Women's Health and Maternal Health
(See the whole list of bills here)
What does the bill do? Extends postpartum inpatient and outpatient benefits to at least one year after childbirth
MSDC position: We support this legislation and the extension of insurance benefits to mothers and babies to help maternal health in the District
Current status: SUCCESS. The bill passed the Council and was signed into law by the Mayor on August 14, 2020.
What does the bill do? The bill prohibits the District government from interfering with patients' reproductive health decisions and prohibits employers from punishing physicians who perform abortions or sterilizations outside of their employment.
MSDC position: We support this legislation as it allows physicians freedom of practice.
Current status: SUCCESS. The bill passed the Committee on Government Operations in January. MSDC submitted testimony at the December hearing, and MSDC member Sara Imershein testified at the hearing. The Council passed the bill and the Mayor signed it into law on March 23, 2020.
What does the bill do? The bill extends coverage for maternal health issues and fertility preservation, creates a Maternal Health Center in the District, and mandates two hours of cultural competence CME for health care providers.
MSDC position: We oppose the bill without changes due to inclusion of mandatory CME and some of the definitions in the bill being medically questionable.
Current status: The bill had a hearing in the Committee on Health in December, with MSDC member Dr. Sara Imershein testifying for MSDC and ACOG.
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