Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC, Local Health Associations Push Council on Liability Protections
On Tuesday, a coalition of DC healthcare associations joined together to push the Council to pass additional liability protections for healthcare workers in the next COVID-19 legislation.
The letter, seen here, asks the Council to include language that protects healthcare workers and employers from medical liability for decisions based on the public health emergency. This includes decisions made due to lack of PPE, stay at home guidance, and the delay of non-emergency procedures. The letter was signed by MSDC, the DC Hospital Association, the DC Primary Care Association, DC Behavioral Health Association, DC Health Care Association, and Leading Age DC.
The letter was sent in tandem with an action alert from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) DC Section asking its members to contact the Council on medical liability protections.
MSDC has consistently advocated before the Council and Bowser Administration on the need to protect physicians from medical liability except in cases of gross negligence. MSDC feels strongly that physicians following public health guidance during the public health emergency should not be exposed to financial liability if they are making medically sound decisions balanced with following government guidance. The Council has passed strong protections for medical treatment for COVID-19, but there is still a large gap for treatments that support reducing COVID-19 exposure.
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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.