Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month
Content provided by UnitedHealthcare Community & State District of Columbia
November is National Long-Term Care Awareness Month, and the UnitedHealthcare Dual Choice Plan offers a wide range of benefits to eligible enrollees who reside in the District. Long-term services and supports (LTSS) refers to a broad range of medical, functional, and social services that are needed by individuals who have complex health needs due to aging, chronic illness, or disability. These services can be provided in a range of settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, convalescent homes, and home and community-based settings. Medicaid serves as the largest payer for LTSS. The need for LTSS is generally measured by limitations in one’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), both of which allow individuals to live independently in their communities.
LTSS are delivered in a variety of settings, including home- and community-based settings (e.g., adult day services and personal care/homemaker services) and institutional care (e.g., intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and nursing homes).
LTSS programs are administered either in nursing facilities or through Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS). HCBS support people as they continue to live in their home or a setting of their choosing. Individuals who receive HCBS still make appointments and go to a medical facility for care, but they also receive wraparound services in their community or directly in their home.
Approximately 14 million individuals need LTSS in the United States today. Most of these individuals want to stay in their residence for as long as possible, making HCBS the more desirable choice for many individuals needing LTSS. HCBS also offer considerable cost savings for states, with nursing home care costs 73% greater than the cost of care in the community.
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.