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 Members Show Leadership at AMA Special Meeting
MSDC was one of the founding members of the American Medical Association in the 1850s, and today's members continue the tradition of leadership in the association. The recently concluded Special Meeting of the AMA House of Delegates had a DC flavor in the discussion and elections.
The first note from the meeting was that it was the last meeting for MSDC Delegate Dr. J. Desiree Pineda. Dr. Pineda served for many years as an alternate delegate and was elevated to full delegate two years ago upon the retirement of Dr. Joseph Gutierrez. Dr. Pineda retires from the delegate position to serve as an At-Large Director on the MSDC Board and was properly applauded for her service numerous times during the meeting.
At the meeting MSDC continued its tradition of leadership, especially among young physicians. At the Resident and Fellow Section (RFS), Dr. Angela Wu was elected delegate from DC to the RFS while Dr. Nehal Naik and Dr. Tenesha Moody were elected as alternate delegates. This is in addition to Dr. Matthew Lecuyer (MSDC Board member and Alternate Delegate) serving as incoming Chair of the Residents and Fellows Section.
At the meeting itself, MSDC was heard on numerous issues. Delegate Dr. Raymond Tu and Alternate Delegate Dr. Neal Barnard testified in reference committee and on the House floor on a few issues, including a new policy on broadband access and medicine. Of particular interest to the DC delegation was an AMA Board of Trustees Report 13 on the study of forced organ harvesting by China. The report was the result of a prior resolution sponsored by DC asking the AMA to study concerns about reported forced harvesting of organs in China as part of illegal medical tourism in the country. The House adopted the report after years of work by DC and allies.
The next AMA House of Delegates meeting is in June 2022 potentially back in-person in Chicago. New MSDC Delegate Dr. Kirstiaan Nevin will participate in her first meeting both as a delegate and as president of the Society.
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