Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
Eight DC Medical Groups Urge Council to Help Physician Practices
Today, eight local medical associations sent a letter to the entire District of Columbia Council urging them to include a funding mechanism for physician practices in stimulus legislation.
The brief letter, seen here, asks the Council to include either a grant or loan program to help physician practices stay afloat during the current public health crisis. Practices are seeing fewer patients due to social distancing and cancellation of elective procedures. With financial lifelines limited due to the economic downturn, many physician offices face cutbacks, closing, or limited hours at a time when keeping people out of the hospital is essential.
The letter was signed by MSDC, MedChi DC, DCAFP, ACP-DC, ACOG DC Section, AAP-DC, the National Hispanic Medical Society, and the Washington DC Dermatological Society.
The letters follows another joint letter to Mayor Bowser MSDC sent with DCAFP and ACP-DC on top issues facing physicians during COVID-19, and also a letter MSDC President J. Desiree Pineda, MD, sent to the Council on a physician loan program.
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Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked
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.
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.
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.