Women's Health
MSDC has long advocated for women's health protections, the rights of women physicians, and affordable care for women's issues. MSDC works closes with ACOG, AAFP, AAP, and other specialty organizations to craft local legislation that allows DC to be the best place to practice women's and maternal medicine.
In the face of a maternal mortality crisis in the District, engagement in these issues is more important than ever. Learn more about how MSDC is working to protect the health of women, mothers, and babies in all wards in the city.
MSDC Statements and Testimony on Women's Health Issues
25th Council information coming soon!
DC Board of Medicine Meets, Discusses Issues Where MSDC Is Leading
MSDC attended the June 29 meeting of the DC Board of Medicine. As part of its meeting, there was a government affairs report on bills moving through the DC Council which impact the DC Board of Medicine. These include:
- Consent for Vaccinations of Minors Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 (Bill 24-890). This emergency legislation allows certain minors to seek CDC-approved vaccines without consent of a parent or legal guardian if a reasonable attempt is made to obtain such consent. The “reasonable attempt” requirement aims to address challenges from a federal judge who barred enforcement of DC’s existing law allowing minors to obtain vaccines without parental consent. The legislation was crafted using recommendations from the MSDC-led Minor Consent for Treatment Working Group created by the Committee on Health.
- Protecting Health Professionals Providing Reproductive Health Care Amendment Act of 2022 (Bill 24-830). This recently introduced bill would “prohibit disciplinary measures against licensed health professionals solely for providing abortion and reproductive health care services to patients who live in states where the services are illegal.” As introduced, the bill would prevent disciplinary action against a doctor, so long as the physician is acting within scope of practice. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Health. On a related note, see MSDC’s primer on abortion law in the District.
- High Need Health Care Careers Scholarship and Healthcare Loan Repayment Program Emergency Act (B24-852) Legislation passed the Committee of the Whole on emergency basis to establish scholarships and a support program “for the purpose of increasing the number of healthcare workers in high-need healthcare careers in the District by providing supports and services to individuals who agree to serve as such workers in the District.” The emergency legislation is under Mayoral review and permanent legislation to expand the program may be forthcoming.
On a related note, MSDC is a member of the DC Healthcare Workforce Task Force, which makes recommendations to the Mayor on the strategies and investments necessary to address current supply and demand challenges in the healthcare workforce.
The Board Chair indicated that she plans to review Federation of State Medical Boards policy on provider misinformation at a future meeting.
The DC Board of Medicine also reported its current licensees. As of June 2022, there were 12,628 physicians (MD, DO) licensed in the District of Columbia. The complete census is as follows:
Sample of Legislation MSDC Followed in Women's Health and Maternal Health
(See the whole list of bills here)
What does the bill do? Extends postpartum inpatient and outpatient benefits to at least one year after childbirth
MSDC position: We support this legislation and the extension of insurance benefits to mothers and babies to help maternal health in the District
Current status: SUCCESS. The bill passed the Council and was signed into law by the Mayor on August 14, 2020.
What does the bill do? The bill prohibits the District government from interfering with patients' reproductive health decisions and prohibits employers from punishing physicians who perform abortions or sterilizations outside of their employment.
MSDC position: We support this legislation as it allows physicians freedom of practice.
Current status: SUCCESS. The bill passed the Committee on Government Operations in January. MSDC submitted testimony at the December hearing, and MSDC member Sara Imershein testified at the hearing. The Council passed the bill and the Mayor signed it into law on March 23, 2020.
What does the bill do? The bill extends coverage for maternal health issues and fertility preservation, creates a Maternal Health Center in the District, and mandates two hours of cultural competence CME for health care providers.
MSDC position: We oppose the bill without changes due to inclusion of mandatory CME and some of the definitions in the bill being medically questionable.
Current status: The bill had a hearing in the Committee on Health in December, with MSDC member Dr. Sara Imershein testifying for MSDC and ACOG.