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 and DC Health Recognize a Strong and Enduring Partnership
Last night, MSDC held its September Board Meeting at DC Health Headquarters at 899 N Capitol St NE, Washington, DC. In attendance were many DC Health leadership staff and MSDC Board of Director members. This is MSDC’s final board meeting before the new leadership is announced and installed at the 2022 Annual Meeting next month.
MSDC Board Chair Dr. J. Desiree Pineda kicked off the meeting, recognizing the strong working relationship between MSDC and DC Health. Most notably, MSDC and DC Health co-hosted a webinar on medical license renewal in DC at the beginning of September. In addition, MSDC members have provided physician input to DC Health and the Board of Medicine on multiple topics. These include public health and licensure issues, such as minor consent for vaccination, maternal health, and interstate licensure.
DC Health Interim Director Sharon Lewis, DHA, discussed updates from DC Health including:
- DC Health's priority to make the District the healthiest place to live in the US
- Upcoming changes to the boards of licensing
- The District's national recognition for its public health responses to COVID-19 and monkeypox
- Concerns over childhood vaccinations and efforts to address vaccinations in school age children
- Changes and updates to the medical license process
- and more.
MSDC’s Board meeting continued with a full agenda covering many items. Among them were:
- As the 24th DC Council period heads into its final months, MSDC is vigorously pursuing its advocacy priorities. This includes legislation addressing reproductive health, copay accumulators, prior authorization, health equity, and more. To raise awareness and help legislation move forward, MSDC and its partners are conducting a Day of Action on September 20.
- The MSDC 2022 Annual Meeting is taking place on Friday, October 28, both in-person at the AIA Event Center near the White House and virtually. This marks MSDC’s 205th anniversary since its founding in 1817.
- UnitedHealthcare, an MSDC Corporate Partner, provided an overview of its Medicare/Medicaid dual-eligible program. See here for an overview of the program.
- MSDC reported on its participation on the Mayor’s Healthcare Workforce Task Force, in which MSDC assists the Administration in sustaining the District’s healthcare workforce.
- The MSDC Board recognized Dr. Laurie Duncan who is rolling off the Board of Directors in October. She has served MSDC in many capacities including her tenure as Secretary, Chair of the Bylaws Task Force, and member of the Physician Health Committee.