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
Today is National Financial Awareness Day
Today, August 14, is National Financial Awareness Day, a day to increase financial awareness and reflect on and plan for the financial future. Financial awareness is the first step in financial wellness, an important topic for physicians who, despite many years of training, don’t receive financial education and often incur significant debt from that training. This is why MSDC’s Healthy Physician Foundation added financial wellness to its physician wellbeing program, to help physicians and practices safeguard and grow their financial resources.
First, what is financial wellness? The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau defines financial wellness, also known as financial well-being, as “the feeling of having financial security and financial freedom of choice, in the present and when considering the future.” Elaborating on that, financial wellness is a state in which you can manage your bills and expenses, pay your debts, weather unexpected financial emergencies and plan for long-term financial goals such as building college funds and saving for retirement.
According to MSDC partner Asset Strategy Consultants, there are six components to financial wellness.
6 STEPS TOWARDS FINANCIAL WELLNESS
- Create a Budget
- Build an Emergency Fund
- Protect your Assets
- Reduce or eliminate debt
- Save and Invest
- Plan for retirement and other long-term goals
MSDC’s financial wellness program has two parts. Starting with the end in sight, MSDC helps plan for retirement through its 401(k) pooled employer plan. Contact MSDC to find out how you can participate. The second part includes financial literacy and education, through the MSDC website, member newsletter, and events. Attend a physician-moderated webinar on retirement savings challenges for women on September 12.
In closing, it can be helpful to take a wellness approach when it comes to personal finances. Just as a doctor wouldn’t think about foregoing an annual check-up, it is important to conduct a regular financial health check-up. Maintain wellbeing throughout the year by following a financial wellness plan, working to improve financial fitness, monitoring “vital signs,” and working with a trusted advisor. Remember, no organization is more committed to the long-term wellbeing of all District physicians than MSDC, which has been fighting for District physicians and the patients whom they treat since 1817.