You're Not High - DC May Vote on Psychedelics

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.

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

You're Not High - DC May Vote on Psychedelics

Feb 7, 2020, 16:16 PM by Robert Hay

DC voters could soon vote to lessen penalties on possession of psychedelic plants and fungi.

This week, the DC Board of Elections agreed to allow District voters to consider a proposal that would reclassify psychedelic plants and fungi to lessen the penalties for possession. The ballot measure would go before voters during the November election.

Per District law, the proposal must gather 25,000 signatures by July 1 to be officially placed on the ballot. The DC BOE ruling was simply that the initiative was appropriate for a ballot initiative. The formal language will also be published in the DC Register.

If voters approved the initiative, plants or fungus that contain ibogaine, mescaline, or psilocybin, among other hallucinogens, would not be legalized but lower the enforcement priority. This is part of an effort nationwide for some states and cities to lessen penalties on use and possession.

The use of psychedelics as a medical treatment have some limited medical support but lacks robust definitive study. MSDC and its partners will be watching carefully if the ballot initiative is approved.