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
DC Releases Phase One Reopening Guidance for Elective Surgeries
Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the District would move to phase one of its "re-opening" plan on Friday. As part of the announcement, DC Health released its guidance for resuming or continuing elective surgeries and procedures in the District.
The guidance in its entirety can be seen here but below are a few items of note for DC physicians:
- Offices are asked to telephone screen all patients for COVID-19 symptoms prior to their arrival at the office.
- All patients are required to wear face "coverings".
- Facilities are encouraged to discourage lingering in a waiting room by eliminating chairs and spacing the remaining 6 feet; prohibiting people accompanying the patients if possible; and "maintain low patient volume".
- Healthcare facilities should implement sick leave policies for all employees, send home any who have illness symptoms, and ask staff to monitor themselves for symptoms. There is no provision offering free testing for healthcare workers at any time, as the MSDC COVID-19 Task Force has recommended.
- Facilities should only open if they possess adequate PPE supplies (more to come on how to do this from MSDC).
- All providers should wear surgical masks at all times.
MSDC welcomes your thoughts and comments.
Leave a comment