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
Dr. Laurie Duncan Calls for Regional Reciprocity at DC Health Oversight Hearing
Dr. Laurie Duncan, MSDC Secretary and At-Large Board member, testified Wednesday on behalf of the Society at the DC Health oversight hearing. Dr. Duncan used the annual department performance review hearing before the Committee on Health to call for regional medical licensure and thank DC Health for their work to date on the issue.
Dr. Duncan's verbal testimony began by thanking the scientific and medical guidance of the department, including thanking Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt by name for her leadership this year. Her testimony then emphasized the importance of regional medical licensure and the need to permit local physicians to more quickly be licensed to practice.
"When it comes to medicine, the borders between Maryland, Virginia, and DC do not exist," said Dr. Duncan. "It is time DC Health recognize this. We are encouraged to see the Board of Medicine actively engage its counterparts in creating a license reciprocity agreement. While physicians would still need to apply for a license in all three states, this agreement would at least allow physicians to be licensed more quickly."
You can see Dr. Duncan's entire written testimony here, which covers numerous other topics.
Dr. Duncan was one of six physicians to testify today at the public witness part of the hearing. These physicians represented various causes, entities, and issues.