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.
.png?sfvrsn=9ac2d21b_0 "What Medicaid Cuts Actually Cost")
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
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Healthcare Associations' Position on Eviction Ban
On Tuesday night, the Supreme Court narrowly upheld a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban on evictions. The American Medical Association and MSDC had filed an amicus brief in the case arguing the eviction ban should be upheld for public health reasons.
The case was brought by state realtor associations and landowners arguing the CDC overstepped its authority in extending Congress' ban on evictions during the public health emergency. The agency has recently declared the most recent extension through July 31 was the final extension. CDC first extended the Congressional moratorium in September 2020 by arguing its authority as a public health agency necessitated the action to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Court sided 5-4 with the government. Chief Justice John Roberts joined Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan in upholding the moratorium. Justice Brett Kavanagh joined in a concurrent opinion stating he joined the majority due to the short timeline remaining in the moratorium. The remaining four justices dissenting without issuing a written opinion.
MSDC joined the AMA Litigation Center and numerous other national healthcare associations on an amicus brief siding with the government. In the brief, the organizations argued:
Protecting public health during the pandemic requires protecting those most likely to contract, spread, and die from COVID-19. The people most at risk of eviction are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 and are likely to live in the ZIP codes with the lowest vaccination rates. Low-income populations are often exposed to social determinants of poor health and often have chronic illness or disability. As such, they are at enhanced risk of serious complications or death as a result of COVID-19.
You can read the entire brief here.
Leave a comment