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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MSDC President Gives Advice to Council on Post-Pandemic Health IssuesMay 5, 2023
Dr. Bathgate listed for the Committee on Health a number of issues to take note of as the public health emergency winds down.
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Five easy ways in May to reduce prior auths in DCApril 26, 2023
Take one or more of these five steps in May to reduce the prior auth burden you and your patients are facing.
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AMA Letter Endorses DC Prior Auth BillApril 20, 2023
AMA sent a outlining why B25-124 is important to pass this year.
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Prior Auth Reforms for Medicare Advantage, Work to Be Done With Private InsurersApril 6, 2023
CMS rule changes for Medicare Advantage will help physicians and patients with more manageable prior auth requirements.
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The Granite Anniversary of Doctors’ Day Symbolizes Physician Strength and BrillianceMarch 30, 2023
MSDC President Dr. Susanne Bathgate has a special message for the DC physician community and our patients.
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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.