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 Member Matthew Lecuyer Named Chair of AMA YPS
At the June American Medical Association meeting, MSDC Board member and Alternate Delegate Matthew Lecuyer, MD, MPH was elected Chair of the Young Physicians Section (YPS).
The AMA YPS, "gives voice to and advocates for issues that impact physicians under 40 years of age or within the first eight years of professional practice after their training as residents and fellows". The YPS meets at the same time of the AMA House Of Delegates (HOD) to advocate for issues within the HOD that impact early career physicians. You can view YPS's actions at the June meeting here.
The YPS Chair position is a prestigious one as YPS represents physicians from across the country. Dr. Lecuyer is extremely qualified for the position, as you can read here in his MSDC member profile. Briefly, Dr. Lecuyer:
- Co-Chairs the MSDC Bright Young Docs Section
- Chairs the MSDC Unconscious Bias in Medicine Task Force
- Serves as an MSDC AMA Alternate Delegate
- Serves in his day job as a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children's National Hospital
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