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, Local Health Associations Push Council on Liability Protections
On Tuesday, a coalition of DC healthcare associations joined together to push the Council to pass additional liability protections for healthcare workers in the next COVID-19 legislation.
The letter, seen here, asks the Council to include language that protects healthcare workers and employers from medical liability for decisions based on the public health emergency. This includes decisions made due to lack of PPE, stay at home guidance, and the delay of non-emergency procedures. The letter was signed by MSDC, the DC Hospital Association, the DC Primary Care Association, DC Behavioral Health Association, DC Health Care Association, and Leading Age DC.
The letter was sent in tandem with an action alert from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) DC Section asking its members to contact the Council on medical liability protections.
MSDC has consistently advocated before the Council and Bowser Administration on the need to protect physicians from medical liability except in cases of gross negligence. MSDC feels strongly that physicians following public health guidance during the public health emergency should not be exposed to financial liability if they are making medically sound decisions balanced with following government guidance. The Council has passed strong protections for medical treatment for COVID-19, but there is still a large gap for treatments that support reducing COVID-19 exposure.
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