Health Equity

MSDC Board member and presumptive 2024 President-Elect Dr. Dock Winston testified today that DC insurers should be required to cover prostate cancer screenings.

MSDC policy supports insurers covering health screenings and treatments that lead to better patient outcomes and healthier people. B25-229, the Cost Free Coverage for Prostate Cancer Screening Amendment Act, would provide cost-free coverage of one prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam per year.  It would also prohibit any health insurer from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for prostate cancer screening. As a urologist, Dr. Winston feels especially passionate about this issue.

The DC Council's Committee on Business and Economic Development held a hearing on B25-229 and two additional bills. The legislation is co-introduced and co-sponsored by the entire Council, which makes its passage likely.

Dr. Winston's testimony (seen below) is an example of how physicians can be key health witnesses on important issues, and shape how a bill is considered. If you would like to learn how you can testify or advocate before the Council, contact Robert Hay (hay[at]msdc.org).

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September 28, 2023
 
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
Chair, Committee on Business and Economic Development
1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004
 
Dear Chair McDuffie,
 
The Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is the largest medical organization representing metropolitan Washington physicians in the District. We advocate on behalf of all 11,000 plus licensed physicians in the District and seek to make the District “the nation’s model for patient care and physician practice”.

I am providing comments today on behalf of MSDC – as its incoming President-Elect – but also as a urologist and District resident. B25-229 would provide cost-free coverage of one prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam per year. It would also prohibit any health insurer from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for prostate cancer screening.

MSDC supports this legislation and urges your committee to mark-up and pass this bill as soon as possible.

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among American men, after skin cancer. In fact, a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every two minutes. Black men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men, and 2.1 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. The District has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest rate of prostate cancer deaths and is 7th among states in prostate cancer incidences.  

However, we know that early detection and treatment for prostate cancer is incredibly effective in preventing death. The 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer diagnosed in its earliest stages is nearly 100% while the same rate for advanced or metastatic prostate cancer drops to 32%. This legislation would allow District men access to affordable, convenient prostate cancer screenings where they can speak with medical experts about treatment and prevention. We thank Councilmember Allen, and the eleven other co-introducers, for introducing this bill, and urge the committee to pass it as soon as possible.

Please reach out to the MSDC office if our membership can be of assistance on these or any issue. We look forward to working with you and the Committee to make the District the nation’s model for patient care.

Sincerely,

Dock Winston, MD
Director, Medical Society of DC Board