Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
Health Professional Loan Repayment Program Applications Close April 30
What is the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program?
The District’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) provides loan repayment to eligible health professionals practicing full-time at HPLRP-certified sites in health professional shortage and medically underserved areas (HPSAs and MUAs) in DC. The HPLRP assists certified sites to recruit and retain providers by providing loan repayment up to $151,841.29 over four years for physicians and dentists and $83,510.61 for all other eligible providers.
Eligible Providers
Licensed and Certified:
Physicians (MD, DO)
Dentists (DDS)
Other licensed and credentialed medical professionals including:
Dental hygienists
Registered nurses
Advanced practice nurses
Physician assistants
Licensed and credentialed mental health providers including:
Clinical social workers
Clinical psychologists
Professional counselors
Providers must be already employed or have a signed employment contract with an HPLRP-certified site at the time of application.
Both participants and sites must complete applications to participate in the HPLRP. Applications for sites are accepted on a rolling basis. Sites must recertify for the Program every two years. Provider applications are accepted during two application cycles: one in the early fall and one in the early spring. The application review process takes approximately 60 days, and awards are made based on program requirements and availability of funds.
Please see the DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program Guidelines for more information on provider and site eligibility.
Original Legislation [PDF]
Amended Legislation [PDF]
Certified Site Listing [PDF]
DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program Guidelines [PDF]
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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