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!
We want your prior auth stories
The #FixDCPriorAuth campaign continues.
As the summer heat sets into DC, it is more critical than ever to remind the Council, Bowser administration, and public that prior authorizations harm care and real reform can be passed this year. One of the most effective ways to do this is to make it clear that prior authorizations harm all kinds of patient care. Often people have one or two personal experiences with a prior auth, but they may not realize that it touches every part of medicine.
To help make clear how widespread prior auths are, send us your stories about how a prior authorization impacted you, your patient, or your practice.
We will keep you anonymous (or share your name if you want) but we will use these stories to show policymakers, the media, and the public how important of an issue this is. We will also include them on our Prior Auth Reform page.
Below are some examples we have already collected. Send your examples to hay@msdc.org:
My patient was denied access to a particular birth control pill she had been on successfully before, and my office was told she needed to try and fail on 5 different generic pills before she could be approved. - OB/GYN
I spent 90 minutes of time with the prior authorization department and an additional 30 minutes with the pharmacy and the patient all because they changed their formulary and would not "grandfather him in". - Psychiatrist
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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