Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
MSDC Joins Groundbreaking Celebration for East End Hospital
Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new hospital at the St. Elizabeth’s East Campus and announced the new name, Cedar Hill Regional Health Center, GW Health. MSDC attended the ceremony, as did officials from Universal Health Services, George Washington University, and Children’s National Hospital, as a long-time advocate for increased access to healthcare East of the River. Quality care for all, including equitable healthcare facilities across all eight wards, is a top priority in MSDC’s advocacy agenda.
The new 136-bed full-service hospital will provide a range of inpatient services to all District residents, including newborn delivery, maternal health and women’s services, a verified trauma center, general surgery, behavioral health, and pediatric and adult emergency services. According to the Office of the Mayor, the facility is scheduled to open to patients in late December 2024 and will be operated by Universal Health Services under a 75-year lease. Physicians, practitioners, and academic medicine will be provided by George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates, the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Children’s National Hospital.
Although a modern hospital built with a local partner and reputable healthcare system is a best-case scenario for a new community hospital, it is not a cure-all for health care access East of the River. As past MSDC president Dr. Julian Craig said when testifying before the DC Council in June 2020, "A comprehensive healthcare system requires not only a world class hospital, but also independent physician practices." Independent practice physicians, who are often engaged in their community, and are important to a healthy physician mix for Wards 7 and 8. MSDC and its Private Practice Physicians Section are working to improve conditions for independent practice physicians East of the River, and across all eight wards.
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.