Important Issues

On Wednesday, three MSDC members testified at two different Committee on Health hearings. This continues a year when physicians of all types spoke out regularly before the District government on myriad public health and policy issues.

The first hearing was on the District's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, with a focus on the DC Health, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, and DC Health Care Finance areas. Testifying first was MSDC Board member Neal Barnard, MD. Dr. Barnard focused on the need for education and public messaging on lifestyle and underlying health conditions. Common medical ailments can compound complications to COVID-19 in many cases. 

"The virus is here," Barnard said. "Diabetes, hypertension, and obesity make it a killer. We cannot simply leave our population vulnerable."

Also testifying was former MSDC Board member and ACP-DC governor Alice Fuisz, MD. Dr. Fuisz provided perspective on the ongoing challenges faced by private, small, and independent practices. While patient volume is slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels, many practices (including hers) are struggling with the financial burdens of keeping a practice open and operating. Many practices are relying on televisits to see patients who will not or cannot come into a physical visit, and Fuisz noted that reimbursement parity makes these visits viable. Once that parity disappears, many practices will face financial shortfalls. New office cleaning requirements, PPE needs, and staffing needs also contribute to higher costs. Fuisz urged the Council to consider types of grants or incentives to keep practices afloat and patients out of hospitals.

The second hearing featured testimony from Dr. Sahil Angelo from MedStar Health. He relayed his experience working with patients with diabetes for B23-920, the Insulin Affordability Amendment Act. The bill would cap the price of insulin for patients. Dr. Angelo spoke about his patients who struggled to afford insulin, a drug with a rapidly increasing price tag. He shared DC Health statistics on the large number of people who self-report issues affording insulin and its impact on public health.

If you want to be involved in MSDC's advocacy efforts or testify before the Council on an issue, contact Robert Hay Jr. at hay[at]msdc.org or