Bill would raise feds' contribution to DC Medicaid

A new measure from Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) would raise the federal government's contribution to Medicaid in the District by five percent — a step advocates say is sorely needed for the city without a state.

Introducing the bill Tuesday, Norton drew a contrast between D.C. and New York City, which pays less than 25 percent of its total Medicaid bill.

"The District pays for 30 percent of Medicaid," Norton said. "Considering the expansion of Medicaid eligibility under the new healthcare reform law, effective 2014, now is the time to make the District's Medicaid burden more equitable." 

Norton pointed to her landmark 1997 bill that raised the federal share of D.C.'s Medicaid tab to 70 percent, where it remains today, from 50 percent.

"The bill is part of my series of bills for equal treatment of D.C.," she said of the new measure. "The series of bills addresses inappropriate and often unequal restrictions placed only on the District, and no other U.S. jurisdiction."

---