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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.

 

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 Launches New COVID-19 Exposure Notification Tool

Oct 20, 2020, 08:24 AM by MSDC Staff
DC now has a privacy-protecting contact tracing system run through your smartphone

smartphone

Today, District residents will be able to assist contact tracing in a new way - via their smartphones.

The District government has launched a new system called DC COVID Alert Notice, or DC CAN. The mobile phone-based program allows residents to be aware when they have come into close proximity with someone who has tested positive, or to report to others when they test positive.

At a Monday press conference, DC Health Director Dr. LaQandra Nesbitt walked through the process. When a person tests positive for COVID-19, the DC Health contact tracing program will reach out and ask the person if they use DC CAN. Users will be given a code for them to enter into their phone, and that code will activate a Bluetooth notification. People who use DC CAN who have been in close proximity to that person will receive pop-up notifications on next steps to protect themselves and their community from COVID spread.

The government stressed that the system is private and secure. The technology was developed through a partnership between Apple and Google, and uses Bluetooth technology to exchange signals. No GPS data or identification data is transmitted, so the exposed person's identity or location will not be revealed. A similar notification system has been in use in Virginia for a few months. However, the DC tool is not interoperable with the Virginia system, so a positive COVID test in the District will not notify a Virginia resident who was exposed to that person.

MSDC encourages its members to share information with patients about the system and how to use it, so the District can effectively use the technology to blunt the spread of COVID-19. Below is a Tweet posted by Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio on how to install the notification system.

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https://twitter.com/i/status/88475651 

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