The Honorable David Catania

October 31, 2005

Councilman, DC City Council

John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 5
Washington, D.C.20004

Dear Councilman Catania:

As the President of the Metro DC Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, a professional membership organization of over 1,700 social workers who work and reside in the DC Metropolitan area, I am writing you to request that you support the inclusion of social workers in the proposed District of Columbia Health Professional Recruitment Program Act of 2005. It is my understanding that this bill will come before the Council of the District of Columbia on or before November 1, 2005 for a vote.

Since social workers were included in the Health Occupations Revision Act of 1986 when licensing requirements were established for health professionals, social workers have been part of the team of professionals responsible for the provision of health and mental health services for residents of the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia is currently experiencing a shortage of professionally trained social workers and inclusion of social workers in the District of Columbia Health Professional Recruitment Program Act of 2005 would assist in the recruitment and retention of social workers and contribute to the overall health of residents of the District of Columbia.

The District of Columbia Health Professional Recruitment Program Act of 2005 is intended “to create a health professional recruitment program to recruit and retain qualified health professionals to work in underserved areas of the District, to use loan repayment for needed health professionals in exchange for service obligation at non-profit or District of Columbia facilities in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUA).” The definition of other health professional as defined in the bill means “a graduate of an accredited program for registered nurses, nurse midwives, certified registered nurse practitioners, or physician assistants, and have completed any required post-graduate training.” We understand that social workers are not included in the categories of other health professionals because “similar model legislation from the other states that they used did not include social workers in their bills.’’

This oversight is clearly disturbing since there has been an increasing shortage and demand for licensed social workers in D.C., particularly in health care settings. Their recruitment, employment, retention, availability and deployment in primary care, ambulatory care, mental health, emergency services and emergency preparedness settings, as well as in protective services and case management roles, especially in non profit entities has constricted the delivery of health services, especially to our most needy families, HIV-AIDS patients, and the elderly and homebound. With the new funding and establishment of the Medical Homes D.C. Project, the restructuring and transition of the D. C. Healthcare Alliance, and the proposed (though controversial) medical center on the grounds of former D.C. General Hospital, in addition to the escalating public health and specialty needs of our community, the demand for licensed social work services and programs will only increase.

Additionally, it is the social worker who physically goes into the “medically underserved areas (MUA)” in D.C. and who is an essential partner on the interdisciplinary team of health professionals who are continuing to struggle with chronic health disparities and navigate health care delivery to families regardless of where they go for services. As we know, the litany of health care issues and problems in this city is long, historic, institutionalized, and shameful, extending from fragmentation of service delivery to high incidences of HIV-AIDS, diabetes, heart and lung conditions, and multiple cancers. While we applaud and support the efforts of the Council, the DC Primary Care Association, and others to establish a medical home for each family that needs health care in D.C., we know that it takes a concerted team effort to make and sustain healthy outcomes and social workers belong on that team.

In spite of the vulnerable health status of our fellow residents and the rising costs of care and drugs, we are hopeful when we see the potential and future professionals in our students at the schools of social work. Most students are working and trying to attend graduate programs full time, struggling with the balance of their priorities and finances. Some students will return to their former non-profit careers and some will have new opportunities, but all will have loans and bills. The commitment to service is strong in all graduates, so that a program that addresses mutual goals of obligation to serve in exchange for loan repayment is a choice that they need and want.

The Metro DC Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers strongly urges you to amend the District of Columbia Health Professional Recruitment Program Act of 2005 to include social workers as part of the health care team that will be eligible for loan forgiveness as they work for residents of the District of Columbia.

Thank you for your consideration and action.

Sincerely,

Barbara Strother

Barbara Strother, President

Metro DC Chapter

National Association of Social Workers

Attachment: Copy of the Bill

Cc:Councilman Vincent C. Gray