Important Issues

Today, MSDC President J. Desiree Pineda, MD, FACP, sent a letter to the Mayor's office with recommendations to improve the health system of the District during the re-open plan. 

With the District entering phase one of its re-opening plan, it is imperative that the District's healthcare network can react to any COVID-19 spikes as well as address underlying health concerns that the public health emergency has made clear. While MSDC applauds elements of the plan proposed by the Mayor's Re-Open DC Advisory Committee, we also feel there are elements the mayor needs to consider in order to fully protect the District.

The letter, seen here, outlines areas for the Mayor to consider as she considers the Advisory Group's recommendations:

• Making permanent telemdicine coverage expansions and requiring equitable reimbursement
• Recognizing that state borders are not as important when treating patients post-pandemic
• Creating a health system for underserved residents especially in Wards 7 and 8
• Protecting physicians from physical and civil threats they may face during the pandemic
• Supporting the behavioral and emotional needs front line healthcare workers are facing during and after the emergency