MSDC Board Member Matthew Lecuyer Named Chair of AMA YPS

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 Board Member Matthew Lecuyer Named Chair of AMA YPS

Jul 6, 2021, 09:08 AM by MSDC Staff

Dr. Lecuyer's election adds his name to the list of MSDC members who have taken leadership positions within the AMA.

At the June American Medical Association meeting, MSDC Board member and Alternate Delegate Matthew Lecuyer, MD, MPH was elected Chair of the Young Physicians Section (YPS).

The AMA YPS, "gives voice to and advocates for issues that impact physicians under 40 years of age or within the first eight years of professional practice after their training as residents and fellows". The YPS meets at the same time of the AMA House Of Delegates (HOD) to advocate for issues within the HOD that impact early career physicians. You can view YPS's actions at the June meeting here.

The YPS Chair position is a prestigious one as YPS represents physicians from across the country. Dr. Lecuyer is extremely qualified for the position, as you can read here in his MSDC member profile. Briefly, Dr. Lecuyer:

Co-Chairs the MSDC Bright Young Docs Section
Chairs the MSDC Unconscious Bias in Medicine Task Force
Serves as an MSDC AMA Alternate Delegate
Serves in his day job as a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children's National Hospital

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.