Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC, MedChi DC Ask Mayor to Sign Minor Consent for Vaccine Bill
Today, MSDC and the Medico-Chirurgical Society of DC sent separate letters expressing the same message - Mayor Bowser should sign the Minor Consent for Vaccinations bill passed by the Council.
B23-171, introduced by Councilmember Mary Cheh, would permit a minor to receive a vaccination on the ACIP recommended immunization schedule without a parent or guardian. The minor, defined as age 11 and above, would need to be deemed by the physician as knowledgeable of the vaccine, any side effects, and that they would be receiving it without parental consent. MSDC was heavily involved in the bill's passage, including consulting on the final language along with the DC Chapter of AAP.
Recently, a campaign by anti-vaccination activists have tried to convince Mayor Bowser not to sign the legislation after it passed the Council by a 10-3 vote. MSDC, MedChi DC, and Immunize DC have all mobilized to provide factual information on why the bill should be signed. MedChi's letter can be seen here. MSDC's email can be seen below.
Dear Mayor Bowser –
Recently we have heard there is a concerted effort asking you to veto the Minor Consent for Vaccination legislation. MSDC supported this bill because it is a good public health measure that will help the District maintain its high immunization levels. A few things to note:
1. The bill will apply only to a select population of minors who (a) can understand medical information about vaccines and (b) cannot receive parental consent for vaccination
2. Physicians will make the final call on whether a minor truly understands vaccines, why they are needed, and any risks
3. A vaccine is one of the safest medical treatments, based on 20 years of research
4. Minors can consent to behavioral health and reproductive health services already without parental consent
This bill helps District residents remain safe with minimal impact on parental rights. We urge you to ignore the disinformation campaign and support the bill.
Sincerely,
The Medical Society of the District of Columbia
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.
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