At the DC Council’s recent roundtable on changes to the District’s Medicaid and Alliance programs, Daniela Gonzales-Rious, AJE’s Health Justice Coordinator, testified on the ongoing changes to these systems and their impact on District families.

Daniela affirmed the importance of accessible, equitable healthcare and urged the Council to address the widespread fear, confusion, and instability that families (especially immigrant and mixed-status households) as well as children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs are experiencing under the current policy shifts. Daniela emphasized that families are not receiving timely, clear guidance about recertification or program changes, leaving them unsure of how to act even when they receive notices. She described how relying solely on mailed letters or online notices for essential health-care decisions is inequitable and unjust.

She also highlighted the broader climate of harm facing immigrant communities, noting that families are dealing with trauma, instability, and state-level actions that separate families and generate fear. Daniela stressed that stripping caregivers of medical coverage only compounds the crisis, especially for those caring for children with disabilities who rely on consistent support.

Daniela encouraged the Council and the District to invest in holistic, equitable, and culturally responsive healthcare. She affirmed that accessible, affordable, and quality care must be treated as a top priority.

Regarding the Alliance program, she asked the Council to:

• Restore income eligibility to 215% FPL
• Restore all services cut as of October 1, 2025
• Remove the age cap for adults 26 and older
• Establish a formal Alliance Advisory Council with representation from DHCF, DHS, and the public

Regarding DC Medicaid, she urged the Council to:

• Seek a 1332 waiver to extend coverage to residents who fall between Medicaid and the Basic Health Plan (BHP)
• Secure funding for dental and vision services for BHP recipients
• Create continuous enrollment for the BHP and add grace periods that mirror Medicaid’s 90-day post-termination window

Daniela concluded by reminding the Council that the District must care for the people who have built and sustained its communities. The success of these programs depends on centering families, protecting immigrant communities, and investing in care systems that promote dignity, stability, and health for all District residents.

Click here to watch the roundtable.

Click here to read Daniela’s full testimony.