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 Statement on Violent Protests in DC
Statement from the MSDC Leadership
On January 6, the core of this nation was shaken by violent acts in our city. Once again, the District’s medical community stood ready throughout the day, to tend to the wounded, comfort the sick, and care for the dying. Unfortunately, all three situations confronted our community on Wednesday.
Last summer, MSDC issued a statement on the tragic death of George Floyd, stating in part: We also encourage everyone participating in a protest to protest peacefully to protect everyone's safety and to ensure that the real message is not overshadowed by acts of violence. Violence in the name of free speech carries consequences, and often the innocent and uninvolved pay the price. When terrorists, insurrectionists, and those intent on doing violence come into the District, the impact of their horrendous acts impact many. Healthcare workers, already putting forward heroic effort to combat the COVID epidemic, face additional trauma of fear for their lives, the safety of their loved ones, and the emotional trauma of unending emergency response.
Those not working to prevent or stop violent acts are complicit in this trauma. Everyone who calls healthcare workers heroes but then encourages violence in the District is a hypocrite who must remove themselves from the public stage immediately, for the safety and security our District and nation. This includes elected officials, regardless of their title. MSDC will never stop working to make the District a safe environment to practice medicine, as we have for 200+ years.
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