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
Physician Community Speaks Loudly on Scope Bill
The DC physician community spoke up and spoke loudly on December 7, arguing against expanding scope of practice in DC.
The cause was a hearing in the Committee on Health for B25-545, the HORA Revisions Act. The bill would update the law governing medical licensing and practice in the District. Notably, the bill would dramatically expand the scope of practice for numerous allied health providers as well as change the Board of Medicine to include physician assistants, a podiatrist, a chiropractor, and an acupuncturist.
MSDC President Dr. Ashesh Patel testified early in the hearing on behalf of the Society. In his testimony, he noted the large number of physicians and organizations speaking or submitting testimony concerned with the legislation. He shared that MSDC's testimony would briefly touch on these topics, and leave the details to others, while highlighting larger concerning themes. Other members, like Dr. John Dombrowski, spoke to specific concerns on scope expansion. Even the American Medical Association testified at the hearing to give a national perspective.
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.