Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC Board Approves Medical Record Education Initiative
The MSDC Board has a long-ranging discussion on patient access to medical records and what the Society can do to educate its members on best practices during yesterday's Board of Directors' meeting.
The discussion of the CURES Act was one of a number of in-depth discussions the Board held on major issues facing DC medicine.
Recent federal guidance expands patient access to medical records, which raises concerns among physicians that patients or caregivers may have access to confidential or confusing medical records. The American Medical Association has a summary of information here. The Board asked staff to put educational information on the Society's website and social media as well as compile DC physician stories on implementation to share with the AMA as part of their federal advocacy on the effort.
In addition, the Board discussed or took action on the following items:
- The Board approved the suggestions of the Advocacy Committee to "support" B24-19, B24-20, B24-29, and B24-143.
- The Board received an update from the Membership Task Force's work on a new membership model.
- Dr. Moghimi updated the Board on the Behavioral Health Integration Stakeholder Advisory Group.
- The Board approved the 2021-2022 Nominating Committee: Drs. EW Emanuel, Kirsty Nevin, Anjula Agrawal, Sahil Angelo, Christi Hay, and Klint Peebles.
- And more.
The next MSDC Board of Directors meeting is June 28 at 6:30 PM, location TBD. Any member in good standing interested in attending may contact Robert Hay at hay [at] msdc.org.
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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.