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 Board Approves Medical Record Education Initiative
The MSDC Board has a long-ranging discussion on patient access to medical records and what the Society can do to educate its members on best practices during yesterday's Board of Directors' meeting.
The discussion of the CURES Act was one of a number of in-depth discussions the Board held on major issues facing DC medicine.
Recent federal guidance expands patient access to medical records, which raises concerns among physicians that patients or caregivers may have access to confidential or confusing medical records. The American Medical Association has a summary of information here. The Board asked staff to put educational information on the Society's website and social media as well as compile DC physician stories on implementation to share with the AMA as part of their federal advocacy on the effort.
In addition, the Board discussed or took action on the following items:
- The Board approved the suggestions of the Advocacy Committee to "support" B24-19, B24-20, B24-29, and B24-143.
- The Board received an update from the Membership Task Force's work on a new membership model.
- Dr. Moghimi updated the Board on the Behavioral Health Integration Stakeholder Advisory Group.
- The Board approved the 2021-2022 Nominating Committee: Drs. EW Emanuel, Kirsty Nevin, Anjula Agrawal, Sahil Angelo, Christi Hay, and Klint Peebles.
- And more.
The next MSDC Board of Directors meeting is June 28 at 6:30 PM, location TBD. Any member in good standing interested in attending may contact Robert Hay at hay [at] msdc.org.
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