Mayor's Task Force Recommends Streamlined Licensing, Prior Auth Reform October 19, 2023

Mayor Muriel Bowser's task force to sustain the healthcare workforce released its recommendations officially, a few of which mirrored MSDC's own priorities.

This report - seen here - will help set budget and action priorities for the health agencies in the years to come. MSDC served on the task force, as did some of its members.

The recommendations from the task force include:

• Expand data infrastructure to improve health professional license processing, allow for interoperability with third-party data providers and other jurisdiction licensing agencies, and improve data collection to support healthcare workforce development planning.
• Accelerate coordinated health professional licensure across the District, Maryland, and Virginia through compacts and policy coordination, technology interoperability, expanded use of temporary licensure, and adoption of endorsement pathways for all comparable licenses, registrations, or certifications.
• Allow for certain non-District residents to be considered for health professional licensing board membership.
• Reduce systemic factors contributing to healthcare workforce burnout, by reducing documentation burden, insurance prior authorization requirements for routine care, and improving healthcare workforce quality of life.

The second and third recommendations above are already being implemented by DC Health, and MSDC is working to implement all four. MSDC thanks its advisory committee who helped craft MSDC's comments to the task force and MSDC members who participated in the task force.