MSDC Publishes 25th Council Report Card

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 Publishes 25th Council Report Card

Dec 26, 2024, 10:07 AM by MSDC Staff

Physicians won numerous victories on behalf of patients and medicine in 2023-2024.

Upon the conclusion of this DC Council session, MSDC published a report card of its wins and progress over the last session. DC Council sessions last two years, so the issues covered are from 2023 and 2024.

Highlighting the report is the immense progress physicians have made in improving the care in the District. Most prominently, MSDC members successfully advocated for one of the most patient-focused prior authorization reform laws in the country. Following the initial bill's passage, physicians again successfully advocated for funding the bill to cover Medicaid and the Alliance.

Other issues covered in the report include:

Passing the MSDC initiated copay accumulated bill
Initiating a new Physicians Visit the Council Day advocacy opportunity
Limiting an onerous scope of practice expansion bill
Preventing new medical license CME requirements

And more. Read the report using the link below, and access MSDC's 26th Council priorities here.

MSDC 2023-2024 Advocacy Report Card

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.