MSDC Asks Council to Support Physicians in Underserved Areas

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 Asks Council to Support Physicians in Underserved Areas

May 14, 2020, 09:34 AM by MSDC Staff

MSDC sent a letter to the Council today asking them to protect independent physicians serving in areas of need.

Today, MSDC sent a letter to the Council of DC outlining the actions it can take to ensure that all Wards have a local physician network to keep District residents healthy.

The COVID-19 public health emergency has made abundantly clear that health inequalities exist. The percentage of COVID-19 cases in the District are rising fastest in Ward 8, and 78% of COVID-19 deaths have been African-American residents. MSDC has asked the Mayor's office in recent weeks to include messaging on lifestyle choices to prevent COVID-19 mortality.

Today's letter goes in-depth to address many of the systematic issues that prevent physicians from opening offices in underserved areas. We note that the issue is not that physician do not want to practice in underserved areas like Wards 7 and 8, but rather there are structural issues that make opening a successful practice tough.

Recommendations from MSDC include:

Providing support for physicians to buy office space in underserved areas or received reduce rent to help with overhead.
Continue to support DC Health Care Finance efforts to help offices join the Health Information Exchange and boost reimbursement for specialists.
Encourage affiliation agreements in new hospital contracts that allow physicians to operate independent offices but provide services to new hospitals.

Read the letter 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.