Dr. Laurie Duncan Calls for Regional Reciprocity at DC Health Oversight Hearing

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.

Dr. Laurie Duncan Calls for Regional Reciprocity at DC Health Oversight Hearing

Feb 23, 2022, 14:52 PM by MSDC Staff

Dr. Duncan called for regional licensure and encouraged the Council and DC Health to work together on implementation.

Dr. Laurie Duncan, MSDC Secretary and At-Large Board member, testified Wednesday on behalf of the Society at the DC Health oversight hearing. Dr. Duncan used the annual department performance review hearing before the Committee on Health to call for regional medical licensure and thank DC Health for their work to date on the issue.

Dr. Duncan's verbal testimony began by thanking the scientific and medical guidance of the department, including thanking Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt by name for her leadership this year. Her testimony then emphasized the importance of regional medical licensure and the need to permit local physicians to more quickly be licensed to practice.

"When it comes to medicine, the borders between Maryland, Virginia, and DC do not exist," said Dr. Duncan. "It is time DC Health recognize this. We are encouraged to see the Board of Medicine actively engage its counterparts in creating a license reciprocity agreement. While physicians would still need to apply for a license in all three states, this agreement would at least allow physicians to be licensed more quickly."

You can see Dr. Duncan's entire written testimony here, which covers numerous other topics.

Dr. Duncan was one of six physicians to testify today at the public witness part of the hearing. These physicians represented various causes, entities, and issues.

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.