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!
MSDC Launches Compensation Survey for DC Physicians
MSDC's Gender Equity Task Force has launched a city-wide physician compensation survey to evaluate pay parity in the District of Columbia. Although gender pay disparity and its negative impacts are well-documented on a national level, reliable data on the District of Columbia is lacking. To evaluate pay parity in medicine in our nation’s capital, a physician-led task force designed a confidential physician compensation survey, which can be found at
surveymonkey.com/r/physicianpay.
All physicians regardless of gender identity are encouraged to complete the survey and to then share it widely with colleagues to ensure a representative and thorough survey.
This survey comes after yet another national study found a gender pay divide in medicine. The study by Doximity found that women physicians nationwide earned nearly $102,000 less than men physicians, even after accounting for specialty, location, and experience. The gap had narrowed by 2% in the past year according to the study, but multiple studies show that the gender wage gap in medicine is stubborn.
The lack of DC-specific data makes the Gender Equity Task Force’s comprehensive MSDC survey a timely, unique, and important undertaking. Widespread participation in this survey is necessary to understand the nature and scope of gender pay disparity in the District. Therefore, the Task Force encourages all physicians to complete this critical and confidential survey, located here or via the QR code below, and then pass the survey on to colleagues. Additional information about the MSDC Gender-Equity Task Force can be found at https://www.msdc.org/advocacy/gender-equity.
Scan for survey:
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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