Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is a major public health issue in the District of Columbia. Sadly, many of the legislative and regulatory initiatives around behavioral health are tied to other public health concerns, such as opioid addiction, maternal mortality, and health equity.
In partnership with the Washington Psychiatric Society, AMA, and American Psychiatric Association (APA), MSDC works to ensure that patients receive appropriate support for behavioral health issues, that the practice of psychiatry is supported in the District, and that psychiatrists are available to patients in the District.
MSDC was a proud supporter of the Behavioral Health Parity Act of 2017, which enshrined into law that all health plans offered by an insurance carrier meet federal requirements of the Wellstone/Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
MSDC Statements and Testimony of Behavioral Health Issues
25th Council period information coming soon
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Dr. Schott Uses Her Superpower to Help OthersJuly 5, 2022
Meet MSDC member and volunteer Dr. Meghan Schott
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We want your prior auth storiesJune 30, 2022
Send MSDC your prior auth stories to help us pass the prior authorization reform bill.
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DC Residents Will Have Access to UnitedHealthcare’s District Dual Choice Program – Individuals Eligible for Medicare and MedicaidJune 29, 2022
Learn about comprehensive, coordinated health benefits available through the District Dual Choice Program to adults aged 21 and over who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.
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MSDC and Coalition Partners Send Letter in Support of Copay Accumulator LegislationJune 27, 2022
MSDC and 14 other associations sent a letter of support to Chair Vince Gray for a key bill on MSDC's legislative agenda.
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Over 120 Physicians Sign Letter Asking for Prior Auth HearingJune 15, 2022
The letter asks the Chair to add the prior auth reform bill to the June 27 hearing agenda.
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Sample of Legislation MSDC is Tracking in Behavioral Health
(see the whole list of bills here)
What does it do? The bill requires licensed health providers to complete 2 hours of CME on suicide prevention, assessment, and screening.
MSDC position: MSDC opposes the bill as written as the language does not encourage physician wellbeing or sufficient awareness of suicide prevention.
Current status: The bill had a hearing with the Committee on Health on June 10.