Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC Board Votes to Take the Lead on COVID Vaccine Information
On Monday, MSDC's Board of Directors voted for the Society to be a proactive source of information and advocacy on the COVID vaccine.
The meeting was the Board's final scheduled meeting of the year. The December meeting traditionally is the opportunity for the Board to elect its officers, approve advocacy priorities for the coming year, and reflect on lessons learned from the past year to prepare for the next one.
After the tumultuous 2020, the Board certainly had no lack of information to reflect upon. The primary discussion focused on the COVID vaccine and its distribution in the District. Immediate Past President J. Desiree Pineda, MD, serves on the DC Health Vaccine Scientific Advisory Committee. She gave a presentation on DC Health's plans for vaccine distribution and outreach. After a robust discussion on the Society's best role during the vaccine process, the Board voted to approve the following strategies:
- MSDC will continue to advocate that physicians and trainees be vaccinated during Phase 1
- MSDC will participate in education campaigns to the public on the importance of being vaccinated against COVID-19
- MSDC will promote educational information about the vaccine to the healthcare community.
In addition to the vaccine discussion, the Board also approved joining the Capital Trails Coalition and promoting the DC COVID Heroes Advocacy Agenda for the 24th Council Period, among other actions.
Finally, the Board voted and approved the following individuals to one-year term Board positions:
- Chair of the Board: Susanne Bathgate, MD
- Secretary: Laurie Duncan, MBBS
- Treasurer: Raymond Tu, MD
- At-Large Executive Committee member: Yavar Moghimi, MD
MSDC's next Board meeting is February 22, 2021.
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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