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
Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt and Dr. Michael Weinstein announced as 2025 award winners
WASHINGTON, DC – The Medical Society of DC is pleased to announce Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt as the 2025 John Benjamin Nichols Award recipient and Dr. Michael Weinstein as the 2025 Distinguished Service Award winner
The annual Capital Healthcare Honors will once again honor four individuals for their decades of excellence in medicine while celebrating the trailblazers of the DC medical community. This year’s event will take place on March 26 at the historic National Press Club. The festivities include a social reception, full dinner, and awards ceremony and will bring together government leaders, healthcare executives, community and industry stakeholders, and more from across the metropolitan Washington region.
Tables and sponsorships are now available for this prestigious event. Contact our office for more information or read here.
The event recognizes four individuals and one company who in their own ways have paved the way for DC to be a leader in various aspects of healthcare. While winners were noted for their care for physicians and the public during the COVID public health emergency, all five are showing how healthcare in the DC area, and nationally, can be effectively and equitably delivered to people in need.
This year's distinguished honorees are:
Distinguished Service Award
Michael Weinstein, MD, will be presented with the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding leadership in private practice medicine throughout DC and Maryland, embodying the highest standards of medical care and community service.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a physician member for outstanding service to the Medical Society of the District of Columbia. Past awardees include Dr. Dorothy Starr (1987), Dr. Ray Scalettar (1992), the Physician Health Program (1999), Dr. Peter Lavine (2005), Dr. Roselyn E Epps (2019), and Dr. Raymond Tu (2024).
John Benjamin Nichols Award
LaQuandra Nesbitt, MD, will receive the John Benjamin Nichols Award for her pivotal role in leading the District's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and her continued dedication to advancing health equity at George Washington University.
The John Benjamin Nichols Award is presented in recognition of outstanding contributions toward improving the health of the community. The award has been given since 1953 and previous recipients include Dr. James Taylor, Sister Carol Keehan, Polly Shackleton, and Congressman Joseph Himes.
Drs. Weinstein and Nesbitt join our two previously announced awardees -
Meritorious Service Award
Lisa Boyle, MD, of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, will receive the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and her continued strategic leadership of the medical staff.
The Meritorious Service Award is MSDC’s highest award and has been given out since the 1940s. Past recipients include Dr. Montague Cobb, Dr. Raymond Scalettar, Dr. Charles Epps, Dr. Greg Argyros, Dr. John Lynch, Dr. Daniel Lucey, Dr. Gigi El-Bayoumi, and Dr. Daniel Marchalik, among others. The award is presented to a physician member in recognition of
distinguished service to the medical profession as a whole.
Dr. Charles H. Epps III Award
Keith Egan, DO, will be honored with the Charles H. Epps III Award for his groundbreaking work at MAPMG Pride Medicine, demonstrating exceptional commitment to inclusive and compassionate healthcare.
This is presented to a physician member for outstanding public service to the DC community. Past recipients include Dr. Tamika Auguste, Dr. Collette Magnant, Dr. Kim Bullock, Dr. Jeff Akman, Dr. Janelle Goetcheus, Dr. Marvin Korengold, and other DC medical luminaries. Previously known as the Community Service Award, the honor was renamed in 1997 after Dr. Epps, a 1994 honoree.