I’d like to thank Mayor Bowser and her Executive Office for providing the community with the FY 2025 Budget. At a time where Congress created an unnecessary Budget crisis by freezing $1.1 billion of our locally raised funds, I commend Mayor Bowser and her team for saving jobs and avoiding total collapse. I understand the Mayor’s goal of expediting economic development and investments in sports and entertainment. We all share a goal of optimizing our available opportunities and I see this budget submission as a critical first step.
With that said, this budget’s proposed cut to DC Medicaid brings our city closer to the brink of a health care crisis. As DC’s only elected healthcare worker, US Representative and Ward 8 Resident, I’m very concerned about the continued defunding of DC Medicaid. As a licensed pharmacist, I believe healthcare is a human right. This budget suggests that moving forward, healthcare may become a privilege. Roughly 24,000 lower income Washingtonians will be losing their access to health care through DC Medicaid. In a few months, Washingtonians aged 21 and up will no longer be able to enroll in DC Healthcare Alliance. Programs associated with Medicaid’s Managed Care Organizations will soon be on the chopping block. DC Medicaid reimbursement rates, which are often paid late and provides fractions compared to private insurance, may be further slashed. Cutting funding from DC Medicaid squeezes our marginalized communities by eliminating access for medicine, healthcare facilities and providers. With half of Ward 8 residents lacking a primary-care-provider, a major hospital closing and proposed Medicaid cuts, it’s safe to say we’re on our way to a health care crisis. Adding the fact that more working-class people will lose their insurance, DC Medicaid’s budget cut can be viewed as a death sentence.
As a pharmacist, Ward 8 Resident and community member, I will work with everything I have to keep my neighbors alive. I’ll testify for other cost measures to secure the funding necessary to save DC Medicaid recipients. Budget considerations may include adjusting Sunday hours at certain DC Public libraries to save costs. Other sources of revenue may include progressive vacancy taxing on unused luxury apartment units that can could otherwise be provided at affordable rates. Lastly, we can legislate Pharmacy Benefits Management reform and drug formulary consolidation to save healthcare costs. I’ll soon be meeting with key stakeholders, ranging from health provider organizations to community groups most affected by these cuts. I trust that together, we can save Medicaid and the lives of those who depend on it.
Ultimately, our budget is a moral reflection on who and what we prioritize. As DC’s Representative, I’m proud that leadership found a way to protect jobs despite a Congressionally delivered disaster. As a licensed pharmacist, I want to restore and build on our current healthcare system. As a human, I want our budget to fully protect all DC residents so we can live happier, healthier and more secure.