Council Passes Stimulus Bill With Some Relief for Physicians April 8, 2020

While it did not contain all the provisions MSDC hoped, the Council on Tuesday passed a second stimulus bill with some provisions of interest to District physicians.

In a first that's becoming common in the COVID-19 era, the Council met via Zoom for its first ever virtual meeting. The Council considered "consensus" legislation - including new green transit benefit regulations - before debating the stimulus legislation.

Controversially, the bill did not include funding for physician practices impacted by COVID-19. This was the second stimulus where physician support was rejected by the Council, although Councilmember Vincent Gray spoke out in favor of supporting physician and health facilities. MSDC had been advocating for such funding to help keep the healthcare system open during and after COVID-19, including sending a letter to the Council Monday signed by eight physician organizations.

The bill did include the following provisions:

• A 90-day rent deferral that private physicians offices can use to defer rent payments in commercial buildings
• A civil liability provision that could protect physicians, health contractors, and those working to protect the public from COVID-19 from liability except in cases of "gross negligence". MSDC is working with the Mayor's office to further clarify these protections.
• A grant to District hospitals to cover costs until federal funds become available for COVID-19 response

MSDC will continue to work with the Council and Bowser Administration to support all physicians during this public health emergency.