Medicaid has a long and proven track record in the District of Columbia. Year after year, it has served a large and diverse population and helped ensure that residents in all eight wards can get the care they need, when and where they need it.
Today, nearly 40 percent of D.C. residents — more than 271,000 people — rely on Medicaid for health coverage. For these residents, Medicaid is not an abstract program or a line item in a budget. It is how families access primary care, manage chronic conditions, receive behavioral health support, and keep their children and loved ones healthy.
These are real people and real families. They include working parents balancing jobs and caregiving, children who need routine checkups and vaccinations, seniors managing ongoing health needs, and neighbors who depend on consistent, reliable care to stay well and active in their communities.
Over time, the District has intentionally built a community-centered health system supported by Medicaid — one that prioritizes access, equity, and collaboration. I have seen firsthand how this approach works through my work with the Health Alliance Network, which brings together hospitals, health care providers, community-based organizations, and local agencies with a shared focus on reducing barriers to care and improving outcomes for residents across the city.
In fact, the Health Alliance Network is one of the reasons Medicaid is working in the District. It convenes partners to collaborate on advancing health equity and reducing chronic disease in poor and low-income communities. By coordinating care, addressing barriers like food insecurity and access to preventive services, and advocating for policies that strengthen the safety net, the Network helps ensure Medicaid delivers real, measurable impact for residents in all eight wards — supporting healthier families, stronger neighborhoods, and better long-term outcomes.
Through these collaborations, Medicaid makes it possible to meet people where they are. Hospitals and providers work alongside trusted nonprofits such as Martha’s Table, East-of-the-River community groups, and neighborhood-based organizations to connect residents not only to medical care, but also to the resources that support overall well-being — food access, housing stability, health education, and social services.
Medicaid has allowed these partnerships to take root and grow, bringing care and resources directly into neighborhoods that have historically been underserved or overlooked.
This support has also strengthened the ability of managed care organizations to connect residents to the services they depend on. Preventive screenings, chronic disease management, behavioral health care, maternal and infant health programs, nutrition initiatives, and community-based outreach all work together to reduce gaps in care, promote early intervention, and provide stability for families who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
A strong example of this progress is the value-based care partnership between Wellpoint DC and the DC Primary Care Association. This collaboration supports a network of trusted, community-based clinics that serve as the backbone of care for many Medicaid members across the city, including Bread for the City, Mary’s Center, Unity Health Care, Whitman-Walker Health, Community of Hope, Family Medical Counseling Services, and La Clínica del Pueblo.
This partnership embraces a value-based care model — one that rewards preventive care, early intervention, and measurable improvements in health outcomes rather than the volume of services delivered. This approach encourages earlier, more coordinated care and helps reduce avoidable emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Value-based care works best when people feel supported in staying connected to their health care. That means having a trusted primary care provider, keeping routine appointments, completing follow-up visits, and using Medicaid’s preventive services. When residents are engaged and supported, this model becomes a powerful tool for healthier individuals, stronger families, and more resilient communities.
For the District to continue making progress, Medicaid must remain strong, stable, and consistent. Stability allows residents to maintain relationships with their providers, continue preventive care, and access the services they depend on without disruption. Medicaid is working in the District of Columbia. It has become a dependable source of support for families across the city and a foundation for healthier neighborhoods. Protecting and strengthening it is essential to ensuring a healthier future for everyone who calls Washington, D.C., home.