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

MSDC + 50 States + Specialty Orgs = Protect Patients Under Medicaid

Feb 1, 2020, 15:22 PM by MSDC Staff

MSDC joined all 50 state medical societies and 12 specialty societies in opposing a CMS rule that would alter Medicaid funding.

On February 1, the Medical Society of DC joined every state medical association and twelve national specialty associations on a letter to CMS opposing the recent Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation.

The letter expresses concern that the proposed rule would "significantly reduce the federal commitment to the Medicaid program, physicians, and our patients without appropriate data and a thorough impact analysis."

As proposed, the regulation would lessen state's abilities to determine reimbursement for providers under Medicaid as well as reduce flexibility on financing. According to Modern Healthcare, the impetus behind the rule was the Trump Administration's concerns about states "gaming" the Medicaid financing system.

The state society letter points out that the rule would hamstring state Medicaid programs in numerous ways. For example, the rule does not define clear standards on how future state Medicaid financing will be considered plus does not give adequate time for states to properly plan for alternative funding.

MSDC remains concerned about the backwards step taken by the Trump Administration on this issue. For more information, contact Robert Hay Jr. at 202-466-1800 x101 or hay@msdc.org.

SMS CMS Letter 2020

Sample of Legislation MSDC is Tracking in Behavioral Health

(see the whole list of bills here)

Suicide Prevention Continuing Education Amendment Act of 2019 (B23-543)

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.