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 PHP Chair Charles Samenow, MD Appears on Fox5 DC

Mar 31, 2020, 07:59 AM by MSDC Staff

Dr. Charles Samenow appeared on Fox 5 News to comment on a story about the increase in alcohol sales related to COVID-19.

Charles Samenow, MD, MPH, Chair of the MSDC Physician Health Program, appeared on Fox 5 DC on March 30. He was interviewed as part of a story about increased alcohol sales in the area. Dr. Samenow, who appears at minute 1:40 of the video, gives a medical perspective on concerns around social isolation and addiction.

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.