Health Equity

At its most recent legislative meeting, the DC Council passed B25-229, the Cost-Free Coverage for Prostate Cancer Screening Amendment Act. MSDC supports this bill and President-Elect Dr. Winston testified on behalf of the legislation. His written testimony is below.

The bill amends the Prostate Cancer Screening Insurance Coverage Requirement Act of 2002 to provide cost-free coverage of one prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam per year and prohibit any health insurer from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for prostate cancer screening. MSDC joined a coalition of public health groups that advocated for the bill.

The bill now goes to the Mayor to sign or veto, then to Congress for the mandated 90-day review period. We anticipate this bill going into effect in early 2025.

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