Health Equity

HUwhitecoats
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 Looks Back on Productive Past and Ahead to Bright Future

Dec 14, 2021, 10:12 AM by MSDC Staff
The MSDC Board met for the last time in 2021 to meet with special guests and plan for the upcoming year.


The Medical Society of DC Board of Directors met on Monday with an agenda full of planning for the year ahead but recognizing the achievements of the past 12 months.

Board members at December 14 2021 meetingFor the second time, the Board met in a hybrid format. Board members in person got to visit the MSDC office on Pennsylvania Avenue while other Board members participated via Zoom. 

As they do at every December meeting, the MSDC Board members elected their officers for the upcoming year. Annually, the Board votes on executive committee positions not elected by MSDC members and chosen from the members of the Board. The following individuals were elected by unanimous vote:

J. Desiree Pineda, MD - Chair, Board of Directors
Laurie Duncan, MBBS - Secretary
Raymond K. Tu, MD - Treasurer
Matthew Lecuyer, MD - At-large member of the Executive Committee

The meeting also had a guest presentation by American College of Physicians (ACP) Governor Shmuel Shoham, MD and DC Chapter Advocacy Chair Lawrence Klein, MD. Drs. Shoham and Klein outlined ACP-DC's priorities for the upcoming year and led a discussion on how MSDC and ACP-DC can collaborate on issues. Another guest was Physician Health Committee Chair Charles Samenow, MD, who updated the Board on the Committee's activities.

As part of the meeting, the Board discussed some of the achievements of the past year, including:

  • Creation of a new Private Practice Physician Section
  • Creation of an Advocacy Curriculum
  • Introduction of MSDC Wellbeing App
  • Surpassing 3,100 members

The next meeting of the Board of Directors is February 28, 2022, at MSDC's offices.

Load more comments
avatar
New code

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.