Council of the District of Columbia

Greetings from the Committee on Health!

The Committee on Health has had another busy week here in the early stages of Council Period 19. In
addition to the ongoing oversight work, the Committee has been actively working on a number of other
important issues.

On Tuesday February 8, 2011 the Committee of the Whole was briefed by the Chief Financial Officer and
others on the release of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The report detailed a small
surplus of approximately $3 million showing the Council’s hard work at creating a balanced budget. In
addition, for the first time, the accompanying report?] (more commonly known as the
Yellowbook)indicated that no serious deficiencies in Medicaid existed in FY2010.

On Wednesday, February 9, 2011 the Committee on Public and Consumer Affairs held their public
hearing on B19-2: the Department of Health Care Finance District of Columbia Exchange Authorizing Act
of 2011, introduced by Councilmember Catania at the first legislative session of the Council Period. This
legislation sets the framework for creating a Health Insurance Exchange for the District of Columbia as
required by health care reform. These exchanges represent a remarkable new tool in the health
insurance market and will provide improved access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance.
This bill has been sequentially referred to the Committee on Health and we plan to hold a hearing as
soon as Councilmember Alexander moves the legislation out of her Committee.

On Thursday February 10, 2011, the Committee on Health held two public hearings. The first centered
on B19-7: the Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011”. This legislation focuses on the health and
safety of our student athletes and others who participate in athletic activities by requiring those who
suffer or appear to suffer from a concussion be immediately removed from the field of play. These
athletes would not be allowed to return to any activity until cleared by a licensed health care
professional. In addition, this legislation creates a training program for coaches, athletes, parents, and
other school personnel in the signs, symptoms, and dangers of concussions. The Committee heard from
a number of experts in the field including physicians, athletic trainers, and school nurses as well as
representatives from the Brain Injury Association of DC, the Washington Redskins, the National Football
League, and Children’s National Medical Center.
Also on Thursday February 10, 2011, the Committee held a public roundtable on the confirmation of Dr.
Mohammad N. Akhter as the new Director of the Department of Health. Before hearing testimony from
Dr. Akhter himself, a number of public witnesses from community activists to experts in the field of
health and health policy testified affirmatively on behalf of Dr. Akhter’s confirmation. Dr. Akhter then
laid out some of the ways the Department can move forward and answered the questions of the
Committee in a frank and honest discussion.

As a reminder the Council has scheduled the following hearing dates for the Performance Oversight and
Budget hearings. If you are interested in testifying please contact me at jantista@dccouncil.us or 202-
724-8170:

Department of Mental Health Performance Oversight Hearing:

Thursday March 3, 2011 at 11:00am in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building.
Department of Health Care Finance Performance Oversight Hearing:
Thursday March 10, 2011 at 10:00am in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building
Department of Health Performance Oversight Hearing:
Thursday March 17, 2011 at 10:00am in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building
Department of Mental Health FY12 Budget Hearing:
Tuesday April 12, 2011 at 10:00am in Room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building
Department of Health Care Finance FY12 Budget Hearing:
Thursday April 14, 2011 at 10:00am in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building
Department of Health FY12 Budget Hearing:
Thursday May 5, 2011 at 10:00am in Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building

Also note that agency submissions to oversight questions submitted by the Committee on Health have
started to come in. If anyone is interested in reviewing them prior to the hearings please contact the
Committee.

As always, if you or your organizations have any upcoming events please let me know and I will do my
best to add them to the newsletter. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please don’t
hesitate to call or email.