PHP and Addiction Resources
The MSDC Physician Health Program is a private, confidential, non-disciplinary program that works to advocate for the health and well-being of all physicians in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area and to safeguard the public.
The Program
is HIPAA compliant and protects the confidentiality of participant records as set forth under DC and Federal law. The program is administered by the Medical Society of DC and is separate from the DC Board of Medicine.
Learn more about this program at our Healthy Physician Foundation page
Support Your Colleagues
Do you want to help support your fellow physicians going through their own struggles? The Healthy Physician Foundation supports the PHP and our efforts to supports physicians in need. Your generous gift allows MSDC to continue this important program and extend our reach to all physicians.
DC Opioid Deaths Increased in 2019
While many states are beginning to see a small decline in opioid-related deaths due to prescription reforms, the District and cities like Baltimore are showing an uptick due to numerous factors. A major factor is the presence of fentanyl especially in heroin laced with the opioid. The District saw 281 fatal overdoses in 2017, then saw a decline, but could again be seeing an upswing. The projected number of deaths for last year is 260.
The upward trend comes amidst implementation of the Mayor's Live.Long.DC plan to address the major reasons for substance use disorder. MSDC applauded the plan's reduction in the use of prior authorization in Medicaid plans for OUD treatments but provisional data suggests numerous other factors are driving the death rate higher.
The report also comes at the beginning of the Council's budget process. With the Council currently undergoing executive department performance reviews then budget allocations, the opioid crisis undoubtedly will come up in budget discussions. At the Committee on Health hearing on January 31 for the Mayor's Commission for Healthcare Systems Transformation, CM Vince Gray noted the numbers represent a "trend moving in the wrong direction".
MSDC and its members remain committed to working with the District government and private stakeholders to reduce the number of opioid deaths and addictions in the District.
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