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 Preps Advocacy Strategy Ahead of 26th Council
At its final Board meeting of 2024, the MSDC Board of Directors laid the groundwork for another successful year of advocacy, member growth, and community engagement.
The Board met at MSDC headquarters on Monday with a robust agenda focused on various aspects of the strategic plan. One important item from the Advocacy Committee was the approval of the 26th Council of DC Advocacy Agenda. The agenda is a guidance document that outlines areas of importance for physician advocacy in the next Council. While MSDC policy dictates the issues and positions MSDC takes on actual bills, the Advocacy Agenda shares what issues in the coming two years are important to the physician community.
In addition, the Board did the following at its meeting:
- Approved the slate of 2025 award winners (more to come)
- Heard from Dr. Michael Weinstein about the need to grow the number of physicians from underserved communities in DC, the need to increase colon cancer screenings among Millennials and Gen X in DC, and how private practices can better advocate for themselves.
- Closed DOCPAC, MSDC's political advocacy committee
- Began planning next year's annual meeting.
- Elected the following officers: Chair (Dr. Desiree Pineda), Secretary (Dr. Kirstiaan Nevin), and Treasurer (Dr. Susanne Bathgate).
- Welcomed Dr. Ashlee Williams and Dr. Leslie Jones to the MSDC Board
The next MSDC Board meeting will be February 3. MSDC members in good standing may request an invitation to attend to hay@msdc.org.
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