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
The Healthy Physician Foundation Announces New Award
The Healthy Physician Foundation and MSDC are pleased to announce a new award - The Innovation in Healthcare Technology Award.
The Innovation in Healthcare Technology Award will recognize and support DC area companies that show a spirit of innovation by leveraging technology to address critical healthcare challenges and improve the practice of medicine.
The award is granted annually to a company located in DC, Maryland, or Virginia that is creating or marketing a technology that improves the practice of medicine, helps patient outcomes, and reduces physician burnout and distress. The award is presented annually as part of the Capital Healthcare Honors awards ceremony, which annually recognizes individuals and organizations improving medicine. The award includes a monetary award and a public relations campaign to draw attention to the award and recipient.
Information about the award application
The award application is now open and will be available until November 15 at 5 PM ET. All applications received by this time will be sent to an awards committee, composed of DC area physicians. Those physicians will evaluate the applications based on the criteria listed below and, if an applicant meets the criteria well and funding is available, the company will be notified in December of the award.
The award itself will be presented at the Capital Healthcare Honors in March 2025.
Eligible companies will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Innovation: The degree of novelty and creativity in the technological solution
- Impact: Potential or demonstrated ability to improve healthcare delivery or outcomes
- Accessibility: Focus on improving healthcare access for underserved populations
- Scalability: Potential for widespread adoption and implementation
- Sustainability: Long-term viability of the solution and the company
- Partnerships: Existing relationships with DC/MD/VA healthcare institutions
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