Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
The Healthy Physician Foundation Announces New Award
The Healthy Physician Foundation and MSDC are pleased to announce a new award - The Innovation in Healthcare Technology Award.
The Innovation in Healthcare Technology Award will recognize and support DC area companies that show a spirit of innovation by leveraging technology to address critical healthcare challenges and improve the practice of medicine.
The award is granted annually to a company located in DC, Maryland, or Virginia that is creating or marketing a technology that improves the practice of medicine, helps patient outcomes, and reduces physician burnout and distress. The award is presented annually as part of the Capital Healthcare Honors awards ceremony, which annually recognizes individuals and organizations improving medicine. The award includes a monetary award and a public relations campaign to draw attention to the award and recipient.
Information about the award application
The award application is now open and will be available until November 15 at 5 PM ET. All applications received by this time will be sent to an awards committee, composed of DC area physicians. Those physicians will evaluate the applications based on the criteria listed below and, if an applicant meets the criteria well and funding is available, the company will be notified in December of the award.
The award itself will be presented at the Capital Healthcare Honors in March 2025.
Eligible companies will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Innovation: The degree of novelty and creativity in the technological solution
- Impact: Potential or demonstrated ability to improve healthcare delivery or outcomes
- Accessibility: Focus on improving healthcare access for underserved populations
- Scalability: Potential for widespread adoption and implementation
- Sustainability: Long-term viability of the solution and the company
- Partnerships: Existing relationships with DC/MD/VA healthcare institutions
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.
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