Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
DC Board of Medicine’s Final 2022 Meeting Focuses on Public Health and Licensure
MSDC attended the DC Board of Medicine’s final open session meeting of 2022 on December 14. The meeting started with a public health reminder that the District still faces multiple public health concerns. The District continues to monitor COVID-19, RSV, and other emerging and existing threats. Board of Medicine Chair Dr. Andrea Anderson stressed the importance of staying up-to-date on COVID-19 and other vaccines, even if they are not required, to protect both the public and the health care workforce. COVID-19 testing and resources remain available to the public.
The 2022 physician license renewal cycle is well underway and the December 31, 2022 deadline is just weeks away (See MSDC’s Physician License Renewal Info Center for need-to-know information). MSDC raised a concern to the Board of Medicine that physicians are experiencing delays in receiving their controlled substance (CS) license renewals, which are reviewed individually. Physicians are concerned at the possibility that their licenses will expire and impact their ability to treat patients effective January 1, 2023. Board of Medicine Executive Director Aisha Nixon indicated that there will be a 60-day grace period for physicians who submit their renewal application by the December 31, 2022, deadline.
The Board also indicated that it is continuing to move forward with the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and interstate reciprocity. DC Health expects these initiatives to go live in the District in the 2nd quarter of 2023. MSDC has advocated for streamlined licensure through regional reciprocity and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
The DC Board of Medicine reported its current licensees. As of December 2022, there were 13,198 physicians (MD, DO) licensed in the District of Columbia. The complete census is as follows:
| MEDICINE AND SURGERY | 12,535 |
| OSTEOPATHY AND SURGERY | 663 |
| ACUPUNCTURIST | 170 |
| ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT | 124 |
| MEDICAL TRAINING LICENSE I(A) | 1,174 |
| MEDICAL TRAINING LICENSE I(B) | 323 |
| MEDICAL TRAINING LICENSE II | 28 |
| MEDICAL TRAINING REGISTRANT | 182 |
| NATUROPATH PHYSICIAN | 66 |
| PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT | 1,242 |
| POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNICIAN | 1 |
| POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGIST | 69 |
| POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TRAINEE | 3 |
| SURGICAL ASSISTANT | 122 |
| CHINESE HERBOLOGY | 25 |
| 16,727 |
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.