Advocacy
The Medical Society of DC advocates every day for the right and ability of District physicians to practice medicine. We want you to help your patients and their families using your medical knowledge with minimal government interference.
MSDC advocacy happens at many different levels:
- We work with the Council of DC, especially the Committee on Health, to shape legislation to benefit the practice of medicine
- We work with our partners in the District executive branch to ensure health regulations are proactive on public health, protective of physician right to practice, and reasonable on who can practice health care.
- With the American Medical Association and national specialty societies, we lobby Congress and the Administration to ensure national health policy does not negatively impact physicians.
- Partnering with the AMA Litigation Center, we file amicus briefs and legal suits to protect physicians and reasonable health care practices.
Learn more about our work and successes below or using the links in the menu.
Resources for MSDC Advocacy
On December 9, 2024, the MSDC Board approved its advocacy priorities for the 26th Council period. You can see them here.
MSDC has different levels of support for legislation. Learn more about the MSDC Advocacy Rankings.
Learn more about MSDC's Advocacy Curriculum and how you can prepare to advocate for your profession and patients here.
Follow issues along with MSDC on our legislation tracking page seen here.
Learn more about MSDC's advocacy successes in the 25th Council period.
Advocacy Events
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July Advocacy Forum: Learn More About DOCPAC
July 28, 2021 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Learn more about DOCPAC and share your thoughts on its future before participating in our monthly advocacy forum. -
MSDC Advocacy Committee July Meeting
July 14, 2021 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
The Advocacy Committee will meet to discuss important legislation before the Council and Bowser Administration. -
MSDC Advocacy Committee May Meeting
May 26, 2021 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
The Advocacy Committee will meet to discuss important legislation before the Council and Bowser Administration.
Advocacy News
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MSDC Raises Scope Creep and More with DC Board of Medicine
April 24, 2024
MSDC staff visited the Board's meeting to discuss further collaboration and share opinions on important health issues.
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ACT NOW: Join MSDC letter opposing scope changes
April 18, 2024
Sign on to the physician letter asking the Council to remove scope of practice changes to B25-545.
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What to Know About the DC Scope of Practice Expansion Bill
April 9, 2024
Physicians need to act now to stop scope expansion in DC. We tell you how.
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MSDC President Dr. Ashesh Patel's Statement on Markup of B25-545
March 21, 2024
MSDC remains concerned about the bill's scope of practice expansions but thanks the committee members and staff for their work on the bill.
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