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
Call for Advocacy Volunteers: Join Our New Task Forces!
Are you passionate about healthcare policy and governance? Do you want to make a meaningful impact in the DC medical community? The MSDC Board is excited to announce the formation of two new task forces, and we are seeking dedicated volunteers to join us in this important work.
Task Force 1: Federal Policy Task Force
The first task force will focus on analyzing actions taken by the President and Congress that affect healthcare and the District government. This group will be responsible for:
- Monitoring and evaluating relevant legislation and executive actions.
- Assessing the potential impact of these actions on our organization and the communities we serve.
- Developing strategic recommendations for how MSDC should respond to these developments, and make recommendations to the MSDC Board.
We are looking for individuals with a strong understanding of healthcare policy, legislative processes, or advocacy. Your insights will help us navigate the complex landscape of federal actions and ensure that our organization remains proactive and responsive.
Task Force 2: Policy Review Task Force
The second task force will undertake a comprehensive review of our Board-approved policies. This group will be tasked with:
- Evaluating existing policies to determine their effectiveness and relevance.
- Identifying policies that may need to be updated or changed in light of new information or changing circumstances.
- Proposing new policies that align with our mission and enhance our operations.
We invite volunteers with experience in nonprofit governance, policy analysis, or organizational development to lend their expertise. Your contributions will be vital in ensuring that our policies reflect best practices and support our mission effectively.
How to Get Involved
If you are interested in joining either of these task forces, please reach out to us at hay@msdc.org. In your message, let us know which task force you would like to join and a brief overview of your relevant experience or interest.
Volunteering for these task forces is a fantastic opportunity to engage with critical issues in healthcare and contribute to the strategic direction of our nonprofit. Together, we can make a difference!
Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve. We look forward to hearing from you!
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.