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 To Host Online Healthcare Forum On Supreme Court Challenge To The ACA
On November 10-11, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in California v. Texas, the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, which could affect tens of millions of Americans and millions of healthcare professionals. To evaluate the potential impact of this case on health coverage, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) will host an online healthcare forum on Thursday, November 12 at Noon (Eastern). The forum, The Affordable Care Act Before the U.S. Supreme Court, will feature legal and medical experts who are co-signatories of a SCOTUS Amici Curiae filed by national public health leaders in May 2020. Washington area, national, and international healthcare colleagues, policymakers, and the public are invited to this open forum to discuss the impact of the ACA challenge on access to healthcare in America. Learn more at bit.ly/SCOTUSMSDC
This will be the third such Supreme Court challenge in less than eight years, but it will be the first with a reconfigured court, throwing the outcome of the case, and indeed the ACA, into question. The outcome could determine whether the Affordable Care Act can continue, posing severe implications for healthcare providers and the health insurance market, protection for people with pre-existing conditions, and more. Disruption in access to healthcare is especially worrisome during the current global pandemic, which has taken more than 230,000 lives in the United States.
Analysis of the proceedings will be provided by Professor Sara Rosenbaum, J.D., of the George Washington University, and Eliot Sorel M.D., former MSDC president. Professor Rosenbaum and Dr. Sorel are co-signatories of the SCOTUS Amici Curiae filed by national public health leaders in May 2020. This event is open to all those interested and is free of charge. Please register here for this unique and event. There will be ample time for questions.
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