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
Medical Society of DC Praises Council Introduction of New DC Vaccine Bill
Medical Society of DC Praises Council Introduction of New DC Vaccine Bill
Legislation protects physicians from harmful lawsuits when practice evidence-based medicine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 3, 2026 – The Medical Society of the District of Columbia, DC’s professional organization for DC area physicians, thanks Chair Mendelson, Mayor Bowser, DC Health, and the DC Council for introducing legislation that protects healthcare providers who promote good public health by providing vaccines.
If enacted, the proposed legislation would amend D.C. Official Code § 7-401 to ensure healthcare providers are not held liable for any injury caused by the prescribing, dispensing, ordering, furnishing, or administering of eligible vaccines or other immunizing agents. These include ones required by law or recommended by leading medical and public health entities.
“DC is stepping up to protect residents and model good public health,” said MSDC President and pediatrician Dr. Matthew Lecuyer. “Healthcare providers should not fear legal actions based on junk science, internet rumor, or ignorant politicians when they are protecting the population through immunization. Vaccines are safe and effective, and this bill will ensure my colleagues are not subject to frivolous lawsuits when acting in accord with best practice as defined by science.”
MSDC is committed to immunization best practice; in 2025 the MSDC Board of Directors reaffirmed that by passing an updated policy for the Society:
Immunization Policy. MSDC affirms that immunizations are among the safest and most cost-effective public health interventions, preventing disease, disability, and death. MSDC supports universal access to CDC/ACIP-recommended vaccines without cost-sharing and through equitable, culturally responsive distribution across all populations. MSDC is committed to advancing evidence-based vaccine policy that protects all District residents and reduces health disparities, advocating for District regulations and public health funding that strengthen vaccine supply chains and enable transparent reporting of immunization coverage rates across the District.
MSDC has long advocated for the District to showcase best practice in public health. The Society partnered with the District government and private entities during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage District residents to be vaccinated and have continued to provide resources for patients and caregivers on immunization. Dr. Patience White is this year’s Dr. Charles H. Epps III Community Service Award winner in part for her advocacy on immunization.
About the Medical Society of DC. With more than 3,000 members, the Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) is the largest medical organization representing physicians in the District of Columbia. The Medical Society was founded in 1817, and it is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of physicians and their patients in metropolitan Washington. MSDC is continually seeking to guarantee access to appropriate medical care for all District residents, regardless of location or income.
Media Contact: Robert Hay Jr., Executive Vice President, MSDC, Phone: 202-466-1800 Email: hay@msdc.org
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