MSDC Board Preps Advocacy Strategy Ahead of 26th Council

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 Board Preps Advocacy Strategy Ahead of 26th Council

Dec 10, 2024, 15:51 PM by MSDC Staff

The Board outlined the Society's advocacy principles ahead of an interesting two years.

At its final Board meeting of 2024, the MSDC Board of Directors laid the groundwork for another successful year of advocacy, member growth, and community engagement.

The Board met at MSDC headquarters on Monday with a robust agenda focused on various aspects of the strategic plan. One important item from the Advocacy Committee was the approval of the 26th Council of DC Advocacy Agenda. The agenda is a guidance document that outlines areas of importance for physician advocacy in the next Council. While MSDC policy dictates the issues and positions MSDC takes on actual bills, the Advocacy Agenda shares what issues in the coming two years are important to the physician community.

In addition, the Board did the following at its meeting:

Approved the slate of 2025 award winners (more to come)
Heard from Dr. Michael Weinstein about the need to grow the number of physicians from underserved communities in DC, the need to increase colon cancer screenings among Millennials and Gen X in DC, and how private practices can better advocate for themselves.
Closed DOCPAC, MSDC's political advocacy committee
Began planning next year's annual meeting.
Elected the following officers: Chair (Dr. Desiree Pineda), Secretary (Dr. Kirstiaan Nevin), and Treasurer (Dr. Susanne Bathgate).
Welcomed Dr. Ashlee Williams and Dr. Leslie Jones to the MSDC Board

The next MSDC Board meeting will be February 3. MSDC members in good standing may request an invitation to attend to hay@msdc.org.

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.