MSDC to Host Two COVID-19 Virtual Town Halls

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues

25th Council session information coming soon.

MSDC to Host Two COVID-19 Virtual Town Halls

Mar 13, 2020, 08:45 AM by MSDC staff

MSDC will host two physician virtual townhalls on COVID-19, one on Saturday and one on Monday.

MSDC and local partners will be holding a joint "virtual" townhall on Saturday, March 14 at 8 AM and again on Monday, March 16 at 12 PM.

DC area physicians have had the opportunity to receive practice updates on calls from the Center for Disease Control and DC Health. This townhall is your chance to discuss the information from those calls and to share with MSDC what remaining questions you have.

On this virtual townhall, you will have the opportunity to:

Hear from local physicians leaders what they are seeing and hearing from their memberships on the COVID-19 response

Tell MSDC and physician organizations what questions you still have about a COVID-19 response

Highlight major issues you or your practice are seeing and how MSDC and medical organizations can help

MSDC and local medical societies are offering this opportunity for you to talk with your peers and let us know what you need from organized medicine in this uncertain time.

The virtual townhall will be conducted via Zoom, and participants must register in advance so we can gauge capacity. Each session will have a separate link to register and participate.

Please note, MSDC cannot promise answers to all your questions. To assist with some answers, we are advertising the government programs prior to this event AND we will be collecting the discussion items from the townhall to use in continuing to gather information.

Saturday event information here.

Monday event information here.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.