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
Eight DC Medical Groups Urge Council to Help Physician Practices
Today, eight local medical associations sent a letter to the entire District of Columbia Council urging them to include a funding mechanism for physician practices in stimulus legislation.
The brief letter, seen here, asks the Council to include either a grant or loan program to help physician practices stay afloat during the current public health crisis. Practices are seeing fewer patients due to social distancing and cancellation of elective procedures. With financial lifelines limited due to the economic downturn, many physician offices face cutbacks, closing, or limited hours at a time when keeping people out of the hospital is essential.
The letter was signed by MSDC, MedChi DC, DCAFP, ACP-DC, ACOG DC Section, AAP-DC, the National Hispanic Medical Society, and the Washington DC Dermatological Society.
The letters follows another joint letter to Mayor Bowser MSDC sent with DCAFP and ACP-DC on top issues facing physicians during COVID-19, and also a letter MSDC President J. Desiree Pineda, MD, sent to the Council on a physician loan program.
Leave a comment