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 Looks Back on Productive Past and Ahead to Bright Future
The Medical Society of DC Board of Directors met on Monday with an agenda full of planning for the year ahead but recognizing the achievements of the past 12 months.
For the second time, the Board met in a hybrid format. Board members in person got to visit the MSDC office on Pennsylvania Avenue while other Board members participated via Zoom.
As they do at every December meeting, the MSDC Board members elected their officers for the upcoming year. Annually, the Board votes on executive committee positions not elected by MSDC members and chosen from the members of the Board. The following individuals were elected by unanimous vote:
J. Desiree Pineda, MD - Chair, Board of Directors
Laurie Duncan, MBBS - Secretary
Raymond K. Tu, MD - Treasurer
Matthew Lecuyer, MD - At-large member of the Executive Committee
The meeting also had a guest presentation by American College of Physicians (ACP) Governor Shmuel Shoham, MD and DC Chapter Advocacy Chair Lawrence Klein, MD. Drs. Shoham and Klein outlined ACP-DC's priorities for the upcoming year and led a discussion on how MSDC and ACP-DC can collaborate on issues. Another guest was Physician Health Committee Chair Charles Samenow, MD, who updated the Board on the Committee's activities.
As part of the meeting, the Board discussed some of the achievements of the past year, including:
- Creation of a new Private Practice Physician Section
- Creation of an Advocacy Curriculum
- Introduction of MSDC Wellbeing App
- Surpassing 3,100 members
The next meeting of the Board of Directors is February 28, 2022, at MSDC's offices.
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