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 Annual Meeting Sees New President and Special Guests
The Medical Society of DC held its annual membership meeting on Friday and welcomed the Society's new president, Dr. EW Emanuel.
MSDC is the only state medical society chartered by Congress and its members have been meeting since 1817. For the first time, due to the District's COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting was held on a video conference platform.
Members gathered in a virtual reception and had the opportunity to chat among themselves. They had the opportunity to hear music from MSDC member Dr. Jerry Perman and his band, who played some classic hits.
The meeting began with a welcome from the Chair of the Board of Directors Dr. Susanne Bathgate. She introduced a special video "year in review" highlighting the work of the Medical Society. The video focused on the contributions of MSDC members to the response to the pandemic, the Society's work on health equity issues, its continued advocacy efforts, and programs/networking opportunities held throughout the year by groups like the Women in Medicine section.
The meeting then transitioned into a speech by current president Dr. Desiree Pineda. Dr. Pineda focused her remarks praising physicians for their response to the pandemic. She also highlighted MSDC's Healthy Physician Program, an initiative to combat moral injury in the physician community. Finally, as teased in her promo video for the meeting, Dr. Pineda had a special toast she asked all members to join which highlighted everyone who helped make physicians successful.
Next on the agenda was a special greeting from AMA President Dr. Susan Bailey. Dr. Bailey congratulated MSDC's leadership and noted that she understood the challenges of being a leader during a pandemic. President Bailey thanked the Society for its leadership and highlighted areas where the AMA and MSDC have worked in tandem during the pandemic.
MSDC then had a second special guest speaker - DC Interim Deputy Mayor, DC Chief Medical Examiner, and National Medical Association Board member Roger Mitchell, MD. The Interim Deputy Mayor gave extended remarks on "medicine outside the exam room" and how physicians can use their experiences and education to make a difference in society. He noted that physicians need to move beyond their comfort zones to engage society on the major debates. Dr. Mitchell then engaged in a robust Q&A with members who, not surprisingly, asked in-depth and probing questions.
The meeting then moved on the business portion - the swearing in of the new MSDC President. Dr. Pineda read the oath of office and Dr. Emanuel repeated it, and thus completed the MSDC presidential transition. He then presented Dr. Pineda with the gavel award given to an outgoing president.
The meeting concluded with Dr. Emanuel's address and a closing montage. Dr. Emanuel's comments focused on the needs and engagement of the membership. He reiterated that the pandemic has challenged the profession in ways not seen in decades, but emphasized that MSDC had the resources and community to help. He outlined his priorities as president, focused on helping physicians in the District to practice medicine in the manner they wish. He issued a call to members to be engaged and provide feedback, energy, and comments to the Society.
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