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Neighbors,
As we head into Council recess, my team has been diligently working through the remainder of the Committee on Health’s hearings before gavels are officially down for the summer. In the last two weeks, we held a joint roundtable on the DC Access System known as District Direct which DC government uses to manage public benefit programs, confirmation hearings for an array of health-related Boards, and hearings on several pieces of legislation. Although the Council may operate at a slower pace over the summer, my team and I will be preparing to finalize legislation and conduct deeper oversight hearings in the fall.
One legislative update I’d like to highlight is the Safe and Supported Pregnancy and Delivery for Incarcerated Individuals Amendment Act of 2024, which I introduced on July 8. This legislation is meant to further DC’s commitment to providing quality maternity care and safe delivery by requiring the Department of Corrections to establish a standard operating procedure for health care for incarcerated individuals who are pregnant and postpartum. I recently learned that the Department of Corrections has an ad hoc process through which a pregnant individual can request the presence of a family member or friend while hospitalized for delivery and postpartum recovery, and I'd like to see that formalized. Approximately 3-4 percent of individuals entering correctional facilities nationwide are pregnant and face significantly high rates of miscarriages, preterm deliveries, and delivery of low-birth-weight infants when compared to the general public. You can read more about the introduced legislation here.
I am sure you have noticed that DC continues to experience heat emergencies almost daily, and I want to again emphasize the importance of taking extra precautions. Information on pools, splash parks, low barrier shelters, and cooling centers can be found further in this newsletter.
In service, Christina HendersonCouncilmember, At-LargeChristinaHendersonDC.com
On Wednesday, July 10, the Committee on Health held a hearing to confirm nominations to the Board of Social Work and the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition. Councilmember Henderson led the meeting as chair of the Health Committee and received highlights of past work experience from both nominees. The nominee to the Board of Social Work, Selerya Moore, specifically identified licensure and the compact as major challenges to the Board and advocated for a broader discussion on the licensure exam, emphasizing public safety and the inclusion of African American perspectives in exam development. Nominee Emily Arkin spoke on recruitment challenges the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition may face due to new rules from the national association regarding credentials, as well as how to protect the public from people purporting to be licensed but are not.
The hearing also covered the Radiation Protection Act of 2024, Councilmember Henderson asked DC Health questions concerning rationale for starting to regulate nonionizing radiation, and potential conflicts with the recently passed Health Occupations Revisions General Amendment Act of 2024. DC Health testified that the proposed legislation is necessary to modernize the District’s response to potential sources of radiation.
On Wednesday, July 10, the Committee on Health held a joint hearing with the Committe of the Whole on two pieces of legislation: the Cardiac Planning and Response (“CPR”) Amendment Act of 2023 and the Seizure-Safe Schools Amendment Act of 2023. The Cardiac Planning and Response Amendment Act would require schools to have Cardiac Emergency Response Plans for instances in which a person or student has a cardiac emergency on school grounds. The Seizure-Safe Schools Amendment Act includes several provisions aimed at increasing safety for students with seizure disorders, including requiring Seizure Action Plans, training at least two staff members in each school on treating seizure emergencies, and bi-annual trainings for all staff and students at schools. Councilmember Henderson focused her questions for government witnesses on how to comprehensively ensure that children with chronic medical conditions are safe at school. Specifically, she pointed to the Access to Emergency Medications Amendment Act of 2023which the Council recently passed and funded in the FY 2025 budget, as a more comprehensive approach to ensuring the safety of our students.
On Thursday, July 11, the Committee held a hearing to discuss nominations to the Board of Dentistry and three bills. During the hearing, Councilmember Henderson discussed career mobility within the dentistry field, the Board’s role in advancing access to preventative dental care, and common challenges applicants face during the dental license application review period. The Board of Dentistry nominees, confirmed at a Committee markup also held July 11, were Dr. Eric Bradshaw and Dr. Jonelle Anamelechi.
The following legislation was discussed during the hearing, and more information on each is included below:
The Advancing the Range of Reproductive Options for Washingtonians Amendment Act of 2024 would require private insurers, Medicaid, and the DC HealthCare Alliance to cover vasectomy procedures without cost-sharing requirements. Government witnesses included Phillip Barlow, Associate Commissioner for Insurance at the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB), and Wayne Turnage, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Director of the DC Department of Healthcare Finance (DHCF). The discussion included the importance of covering this service, as the burden on reproductive health should not just fall on the partner with a uterus. DHCF already covers vasectomies and DISB indicated their support for this bill as well, all indicators showing the District is ready to move towards reproductive parity.
The Child Behavioral Health Services Dashboard Act of 2024 would require the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services to develop and maintain a publicly accessible dashboard of behavioral health services in the District. This centralized resource would provide comprehensive, up-to-date information on available services, making it easier for families and youth to find the help they need. Government witnesses included Dr. Barbara Bazron, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health, and Wayne Turnage, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Director of the DC Department of Healthcare Finance. The discussion addressed issues related to the lack of accessible information on child and youth behavioral health services and the challenges associated with creating a database that will include real-time updates on psychiatric beds, programs, and services.
The Enhancing Mental Health Crisis Support and Hospitalization Amendment Act of 2024 would strengthen the District’s mental health processes regarding involuntary and voluntary commitment procedures, as well as aspects of competency determination in criminal proceedings. Government witnesses included Dr. Bazron, Director of the Department of Behavioral Health; Greg Pace, Assistant Chief, Mental Health Section, Public Safety Division of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia; Katerina Semyonova, Special Counsel to the Director for Policy at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia; and Elana Suttenberg, Special Counsel for Policy and Legislative Affairs at the United States Attorney’s Office. There was a robust conversation on the legislation, covering topics such as the extension of time for emergency observation and diagnosis, the prioritization of virtual hearings, and the issuing of warrants for non-compliance.
Later in the day, the Committee on Health held an additional meeting and approved legislative measures supporting the Certified Nurse Aide Amendment Act of 2024 (formerly, “Direct Care Worker Amendment Act of 2023”) and the following nominee confirmations:
Christina in the Community
DC Transportation Equity Network
Councilmember Henderson recently met with members of the DC Transportation Equity Network (DC TEN). Topics discussed included ways to meet WMATA’s long-term funding needs and ways to improve public space access for non-vehicle users, including by decking over sections of both North Capitol Street and I-295.
School Readiness Walks
On Thursday, July 11, Councilmembers and staff did school readiness walkthroughs alongside the Department of General Services and DC Public Schools. All schools visited that day were located in Ward 7 and included: Sousa Middle School, H.D. Woodson High School, and Randle Highlands Elementary School.
In Case You Missed It: Councilmember Henderson in the News
Constituent Service Corner
DC Policy Center, Parent Listening Session
The Education Policy Initiative is looking for DCPS and D.C. public charter school parents to attend in-person listening sessions on July 25th from 5-7pm. Parents will be asked to give their perspective on the 2023-24 school year and to share their experiences. Participants will receive a $50 Visa gift card and a meal. You can register to participate in sessions here.
DC Policy Center, Sesión de escucha para padres
La Iniciativa de Política Educativa del D.C. Policy Center está buscando padres de DCPS y de escuelas públicas charter de D.C. para asistir a sesiones de escucha en persona el 23 de julio de 5-7pm. Se les pedirá a los padres que den su perspectiva sobre el año escolar 2023-24 y que compartan sus experiencias. Los participantes recibirán una tarjeta regalo Visa de 50 dólares y una comida. Regístrate para participar en las sesiones aquí.
Shape the Future of Transit in Metropolitan Washington
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) have launched DMVMoves, a new joint initiative to develop a unified vision for transit service in the region. To support this initiative and inform this vision, COG and WMATA are conducting a survey to understand residents’ needs and desires about the future of public transportation in the region. Feedback will be collected until August 4. Feedback will help us better understand and identify ways to improve transportation in your community. As a thank you for participating, adult participants (age 18+) who complete the survey can share their name and contact information for a chance to win one of ten $100 gift cards. You can complete the survey here.
Shelter Locations
Low-barrier shelters are accessible for those experiencing homelessness, operate year round, and remain open 24 hours.
Shelters for Men
Shelters for Women
Shelters for LGBTQ+:
DC Sun Bucks/Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT)
With summer officially started, the rollout of DC Sun Bucks, formerly known as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (SEBT), is pivotal for many DC families. This program provides grocery-buying benefits to income-eligible families when schools are closed for the summer. SUN Bucks benefits will come in the form of a pre-loaded card with a one-time $120 benefit per child for the summer that families can use to purchase groceries. You can view eligibility criteria and application information here.
Summer 2024 Red Line Construction
Summer construction has started on the Red Line, closing the Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring stations. Stations will be closed through August 31. Follow the link to plan your travel here.
Be a Better Bus Hero
Share Your Input on Metro's Proposed 2025 Better Bus Network! Review and provide feedback on the proposed 2025 Network by using Metro's interactive comment map, taking a survey, submitting written comments, or uploading a document at wmata.com/betterbus by 5:00 p.m. on July 15. Share your feedback online by July 15 for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card.
Stay Cool in a District Pool
The weather is getting warmer and taking advantage of the District’s many pools is a great way to cool off. The Department of Parks and Recreation has a complete list of indoor pools, outdoor pools, and spray parks. You can view them here.
Information on Services
Covid Tests
Prevention Services
Have a constituent service need related to the Health Committee or any of the other agencies in DC Government? Want Councilmember Henderson to come to your community event or meeting? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Constituent Services Director Ana Berrios-Vazquez during regular business hours (9:00am - 5:30pm) at 202-724-8105, or ABerriosVazquez@dccouncil.gov.
Stay Connected
Thank you for reading! Please stay in touch.
Christina Henderson
At-Large Councilmember
chenderson@dccouncil.gov
Mike Shaffer
Chief of Staff
mshaffer@dccouncil.gov
Heather Edelman
Deputy Chief of Staff
hedelman@dccouncil.gov
Gabrielle Rogoff
Legislative Director
grogoff@dccouncil.gov
Ana Berríos-Vázquez
Constituent Services Director
aberriosvazquez@dccouncil.gov
Sierra Wallace
Communications Director
swallace@dccouncil.gov
Nicholas Pcholkin
Senior Legislative Assistant
npcholkin@dccouncil.gov
Taylor Coleman
Legislative Aide
tcoleman@dccouncil.gov
Health Committee
Ona Balkus
Committee Director
obalkus@dccouncil.gov
Marcia Huff
Senior Policy Advisor
mhuff@dccouncil.gov
Rebecca Cooper
Health Policy Advisor
rcooper@dccouncil.gov
Ashley Strange
Legislative Assistant
astrange@dccouncil.gov