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
DC Health Announces Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is Open in DC
June 23, 2023
Greetings,
The District of Columbia Board of Medicine (the Board) is pleased to announce the rollout of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (Compact). Starting Monday, June 12, 2023, eligible physicians can obtain licensure in multiple member states using one application. The Compact is one of many initiatives the Board participates in to help minimize the administrative burden on applicants and streamline the license approval process.
To receive licensure through the Compact, applicants must hold a full, unrestricted medical license in a state that is a member of the Compact – known as a State of Principal License (SPL)- and meet other SPL requirements. Presently, 37 states and territories including the District of Columbia are members of the Compact. General eligibility requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Graduation from an accredited medical school or a school listed in the International Medical Education Directory
- Successful completion of an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)- or American Osteopathic Association (AOA)- accredited graduate medical education
- Successful completion of each component of the USMLE, COMLEX-USA, or equivalent in no more than three attempts for each component
- Current specialty certification or time-unlimited certification by an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS) Board
Applicants are ineligible for this Compact if they have any history of disciplinary or controlled substance actions toward their medical license, an active investigation, and any criminal history.
Please note that although one application is used, individual states will still issue licenses using this expedited pathway. Visit imlcc.org/information-for-physicians for information on the Compact, eligibility requirements, application process, and fee schedules. Please do not hesitate to contact us via email at dcbomed@dc.gov with any inquiries or feedback.
Thank you,
District of Columbia Board of Medicine
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