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 Commends Outgoing DC Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt
PRESS RELEASE
MSDC Commends Outgoing DC Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt
Washington, D.C., July 6, 2022 –Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt will be resigning from her position as Director of DC Health at the end of the month, and the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) wishes her success in her next role. MSDC, the largest medical organization representing metropolitan Washington physicians in the District of Columbia, has partnered with Dr. Nesbitt and DC Health on many public health challenges during her tenure. Dr. Nesbitt spearheaded many public-private healthcare initiatives with strong leadership and dedication to public service and the health of our nation’s capital. MSDC looks forward to continuing to partner with Dr. Nesbitt in her next role and to partnering with DC Health on ongoing public health challenges.
MSDC President Dr. Kirstiaan Nevin stated, “We are grateful to Dr. Nesbitt for her stewardship of DC Health since 2015, and we congratulate her on the next stage of her career. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her leadership of DC Health set a high standard of excellence that made DC a model for public-private partnership to address health priorities. We are pleased that she will remain in the Washington, DC area and we look forward to continuing to work with her. MSDC will work closely with the next director to continue the work on the District’s health priorities, and we are happy to provide our 205 years of DC health knowledge to the mayor on the search process.”
Over its 205-year history, MSDC has worked with many physicians at the helm of DC’s health department. However, Dr. Nesbitt stands out in several ways. Her near-eight-year tenure and her decision to remain in the community demonstrate her perseverance and commitment to the District of Columbia. Dr. Nesbitt has been an ever-present figure in all eight wards tackling numerous public health challenges with tireless drive and leadership. Her legacy spans not just the COVID-19 pandemic, but also solutions to address maternal mortality, industry-wide technology overhauls, and much more. MSDC has been honored to partner with Dr. Nesbitt on these pressing public health concerns and looks forward to future collaborations in her next role. The Medical Society will continue to provide the city with much-needed physician expertise and leadership as the District faces evolving healthcare needs and challenges, as it has done since 1817.
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Media Contact:
Pia Duryea
Medical Society of the District of Columbia
duryea@msdc.org
(202) 355-9414
About the Medical Society of the District of Columbia
With over 3,000 members, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is the largest medical organization representing metropolitan Washington physicians in the District of Columbia. The Medical Society, founded in 1817, is the leading voice of medicine and public health advocate on issues impacting the diverse population of our Nation’s Capital. MSDC is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of physicians and their patients in metropolitan Washington and making the District the best place to practice medicine. For more information, visit msdc.org.