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 Launches Healthy Physician App
On Friday, MSDC announced the launch of the newest wellness tool for DC area physicians - the Healthy Physician app. The app is available now in the App Store for Apple devices AND Google Play Store for Android devices.
The Healthy Physician app brings wellness, moral injury, and community resources for physicians directly to them. The app is health system agnostic so physicians do not need to worry that their interactions and data are being tracked by their employer. Instead, the content and resources are moderated by their community for them. The app was designed in partnership with Results Direct and through a grant from the Institute for Technology in Health Care.
Download the Apple app via the QR code below.
The app has features that allow physicians to connect with resources and each other when needed. Users can:
- Engage more meaningfully during wellness events (both in person and virtual)
- Watch wellness videos from MSDC and other sources
- Read wellness articles from MSDC and other sources
- Receive a brief wellness thought daily via push notification
- Connect with other physicians who you met or spoke with at an event (both in person and virtually)
- Arrange an appointment with a wellness professional through MSDC (Active members receive two free consultations)
- Connect with the Physician Health Program in case of addiction or behavioral health concerns.
You can view our guide to the app here. Download today and start putting your own wellbeing in the palm of your hand!
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