MSDC Members Visit the Wilson Building for Advocacy Event

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.

MSDC Members Visit the Wilson Building for Advocacy Event

Jun 18, 2024, 11:01 AM by MSDC Staff

DC physicians participated in our annual event to meet Councilmembers and staff to discuss important healthcare issues.

Physicians are their own best advocates, so MSDC brought a group - virtually and in-person - to the DC Council as part of the annual Council Visit Day.

Council Visit Day is an annual event where physicians meet Councilmembers and their staff to discuss issues important to the entire DC House of Medicine.

This year, attendees shared three items:

Concerns about B25-571, which would create a new mandatory CME requirement
Information about prior auth gold carding as a next step in DC's progressive prior auth reforms
A draft resolution encouraging Congress to fix the Medicare payment system

Attendees held six in-person and one virtual meeting, including meeting members of the Committee on Health and Committee on Health Equity. Towards the end of the day attendees spent 30 minutes with Councilmember Charles Allen discussing a number of healthcare topics and were thanked for their service.

This is not the only opportunity for physician engagement in advocacy this year; those interested in meeting Councilmembers or speaking with their offices can:

Ask MSDC to help you sign up to testify at a hearing
Ask MSDC to arrange a meeting to discuss an issue on the MSDC agenda
Join or renew their membership to see opportunities in Capital Medicine or dedicated emails

For more information contact the MSDC office.

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.