Health Equity
Medicaid Enrollment Touches 39% of the Residents of The District of Columbia; DC’s 70/30 FMAP is Vital for the Maintenance of Health & Human Services
A reduction in the District’s FMAP would not lead to long-term government savings and would have a ripple effect throughout the entire health system in the DMV, crippling access to care for not only Medicaid beneficiaries but also all those who live, work, and visit the District of Columbia, including members of Congress and their staffs.
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Why does DC receive an Enhanced FMAP Rate?
The DC FMAP rate of 70% established by the Revitalization Act resulted from bipartisan analysis, discussion, and negotiation by Congressional leadership aiming to balance fairness with the District’s restricted ability to generate revenue. Congress recognized that the District of Columbia faces unique financial challenges due to its non-state status and the significant amount of federally-owned land within its boundaries. The District is unable to tax non-residents’ earnings, so these workers pay no taxes to support the infrastructure and services, such as roads, public safety and emergency services that they benefit from in the District. The District is also unable to tax up to 40% of the real property within its borders due to statutory restrictions.
Why are we concerned about DC's FMAP now?
Members of Congress have proposed reducing the DC FMAP to the statutory minimum for all other states, which is currently 50% (but could be reduced even more). Such a change would impact every physician and every practice, regardless of type, location, and payers contracted. Even practices who take no insurance will not be able to send patients for specialist care, hospital admissions, or other types of care.
What can MSDC members do?
- If you know a member of Congress or staffer, reach out to them and share how DC cuts will hurt your patients.
- Share your relationships and outreach with hay@msdc.org so we can help coordinate advocacy efforts.
- Email hay@msdc.org if you would like to be paired with a physician member of Congress office and trained by MSDC staff on how to reach out.
Resources
- DC FMAP cut fact sheet
- California Medical Association fact sheet on Medicaid cuts
- MSDC and healthcare association letter to Congress arguing against DC FMAP changes.
- MSDC original story on Medicaid changes.
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
MSDC Board Takes Action to Protect Physicians During COVID-19
On Monday, the MSDC Board of Directors met to consider a number of items designed to protect physicians and their practices during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The meeting was the first videoconference meeting of the MSDC Board of Directors in the organization's 203 year history. The Board took the following actions to help the District during the COVID-19 crisis:
- The Board created a COVID-19 Task Force to create consensus guidance on important issues around COVID-19. The call for task force members will go out soon.
- The Board drafted a statement on the Protection of DC Physicians during COVID-19. The Executive Committee will finalize and release the final version this week.
- The organization will send a letter to the District and national leaders advocating for preventative measures to reduced fatalities during COVID-19. The preventative measures would focus on smoking cessation, updated prescribing, and science-based dietary improvement.
- The Board approved two measures to provide financial relief to some members, including extending the deadline for renewing 2020 dues and offering a discount to new 2020 members.
The Board also heard a presentation from Physician Health Program Chair Charles Samenow, MD. Dr. Samenow, who is a psychiatrist from the George Washington MFA, discussed the new ways the PHP is working with its participant population and serving as a health resource for all health practitioners during COVID-19.
The next Board meeting is June 22. MSDC members in good standing are able to request an invitation to attend, although the format and location is TBD at the moment.
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