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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Big Prior Auth Win in Health Budget: What's Next
May 15, 2024
A budget addition will ensure all insureds will benefit from the District's prior auth bill.
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What Wins The Physician Community Got in the HORA Revision Bill
May 8, 2024
Working together across specialties, the bill to update DC health licensing and regulation had some major improvements amidst some concerning changes
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MSDC Sends Sign-On Letter Opposing Scope Changes
May 2, 2024
The letter, signed by numerous DC physicians, reiterates the physician community's concern with legislation updating the HORA.
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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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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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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.