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.
.png?sfvrsn=9ac2d21b_0 "What Medicaid Cuts Actually Cost")
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 Announces Unconscious Bias Task Force
The task force is charged with examining if/how unconscious bias plays a role in medicine in the District of Columbia and what strategies can be used to combat its effects. The task force will interview leaders in this field - both medical and non-medical - and use this information to create a series of recommendations for physicians. As the professional society for physicians in the District, MSDC's task force will serve as importance guidance on how ALL physicians and health professionals can ensure their medical practice is as free from unconscious bias as possible.
MSDC welcomes any physician interested in this task force to join and participate. For more information please contact Robert Hay Jr. at 202.466.1800 x101 or hay@msdc.org.
The task force will be chaired by Dr. Matthew Lecuyer, MD, MPH. Dr. Lecuyer is an emergency medicine physician at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. Current task force members include:
- Tamika Augste, MD; Chair OBGYB Clinical Practice Council, MedStar
- Kim Bullock, MD, FAAP; Chair, MSDC Task Force on Family Violence
- Laurie Duncan, MBBS, FACP, MS; Member, MSDC Executive Committee and MSDC Physician Health Program
- Isela Melendez-Carpio, M.Ed., Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Alicia Khan; Medical Student
- Marjorie Williams, MD
- J. Desiree Pineda, MD, FACP; President, MSDC (ex officio)
Information on meeting schedules and procedures will follow in the coming weeks.
Leave a comment