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
Will AI Replaces Physicians? MSDC Panel Says Maybe
On March 7, DC area physicians gathered at the Washington Golf and Country Club to hear from a variety of perspectives on how AI can assist with practice management.
The meeting, co-hosted by the Arlington County Medical Society and the Medical Society of DC, focused on the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. Some of the key takeaways included AI's role in improving patient care, reducing administrative burdens, and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
The panel was moderated by Dr. Nicole Singh and Dr. Jacqueline Watson. Panelists included Dr. Anjali Malik, Dr. Marwah Tareen, Frank Meyers of FSMB, and Ajay Gupta of HSR Health.
Dr. Nicole Singh highlighted the shift from paper to electronic health records and the increasing use of AI to streamline tasks. Dr. Malik discussed AI's impact on patient access and care, while Dr. Tareen emphasized AI's benefits in reducing burnout and improving physician-patient interactions. Mr. Meyers addressed ethical and legal implications, noting the need for clinician responsibility and transparency. Mr. Gupta underscored the lack of current AI safety measures.
The panel emphasized also AI's role as a data point, not a replacement for human judgment. They discussed the potential for AI to address health disparities and social determinants of health, the importance of clinician training, and the cost-effectiveness of AI tools like AI scribes. Concerns were raised about AI's future impact on healthcare jobs and the need for continued study and regulation. An example used was what would happen when a chief of a department would leave - to quickly fill the gap could a physician be promoted and AI fill their position temporarily?
It was then the audience's turn. AI's role in surgeries and other medical tasks was debated, with concerns about replacing human touch. The panelists agreed that while AI will handle repetitive tasks, human interaction remains crucial. They emphasized the importance of medical education evolving to incorporate AI while maintaining hands-on training. Concerns about AI bias and patient data privacy were raised, with a call for equitable clinical trials. The overall consensus was that AI will enhance efficiency but should complement, not replace, human expertise.
*Notes composed by Otter AI and edited by a human
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