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!
Join the DC FMAP Sign-On Letter
Congress is considering reducing the DC FMAP from 70% to 50% (or lower). Some of the likely consequences include:
- Cuts to health care professional training programs, including residencies.
- Reduced reimbursement for all providers.
- Staff reductions at hospitals and health systems.
- Longer wait times at hospitals.
- Closures of healthcare facilities.
All physicians, regardless of practice type, will be impacted by this reduction. MSDC is circulating a physician sign-on letter that we are sending to physician members of Congress asking them to oppose these changes. Our hope is that your peers will understand how these changes could impact medicine locally, even their offices.
The text of the letter is below and on the sign-up form.
The deadline to sign the letter is May 3 by 12 PM ET. That will allow us to deliver the letter to the members' offices ASAP.
May 2, 2025
Dear fellow physician and Representative,
We, the undersigned physicians who practice and/or are licensed to practice in the District, express our strong opposition to any changes to the District of Columbia’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) as part of the reconciliation process. The reduction in Medicaid revenue for health care providers and health systems in the District would have a ripple effect throughout the entire health system, crippling access to care for not only Medicaid beneficiaries but also all those who live, work, and visit the District of Columbia, including Members of Congress and their staffs.
As a fellow physician, you know that major changes to patient coverage lead to unintended consequences for the entire health system. Changing the FMAP for the District will have regional impacts in care and endanger access to healthcare for everyone in the District, including visitors and workers who live elsewhere. Reducing the FMAP would equate to a 40% cut in funding directly impacting health care professionals and likely would mean reductions in the healthcare workforce, service cuts for all care, and a destabilization for training for healthcare providers of many different types. Everyone who utilizes healthcare in DC would be severely impacted by this change, regardless of if they are a DC resident.
We urge you as a colleague to consider the consequences of an FMAP change in the District and support excluding this change from reconciliation language.
Sincerely,
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.