SpotlightDC

SpotlightDC

@spotlightdc.bsky.social

The Capital City Fund For Investigative Journalism Website: spotlightdc.org Linktree: linktr.ee/spotlightdc

233 followers23 following70 posts

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Doulas in D.C. say the challenges they face getting paid for their work have had devastating impacts. "That is not an abstract administrative problem," one doula told the D.C. Council. "It is a direct interruption of medically necessary support.”

spotlightdc.orgD.C. doulas are struggling to serve low-income familiesFacing high maternal mortality rates, the District made doula care free for Medicaid patients. But experts say the benefit isn't working out in practice.

SpotlightDC reposted

The 51st
@51st.news

In 2021, D.C. passed landmark legislation seeking to make doula care free for low-income patients. Four years later, and local doulas say for all the fanfare, the program hasn't worked out in practice.  Read @samdelgado.bsky.social's full report: 51st.news/dc-doulas-free-medicaid-maternal-mortality

51st.newsD.C. doulas are struggling to serve low-income families despite landmark legislationIn 2022, D.C. Council made doula care free for Medicaid patients. Four years later, doulas say that's not working out in practice.
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

D.C.'s Maternal Health Resources and Access Act made doula care a Medicaid-covered service. Some providers saw that as a big win. But when it comes to the Medicaid benefit, doulas in the District say the implementation has been disappointing and frustrating.

spotlightdc.orgD.C. doulas are struggling to serve low-income familiesFacing high maternal mortality rates, the District made doula care free for Medicaid patients. But experts say the benefit isn't working out in practice.
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SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

There are other signs that access to doula care in D.C. could improve. In January 2025, the District was awarded a grant to help improve maternal health care for Medicaid recipients. One of the main goals of this grant is increasing access to doula care.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

D.C.'s Maternal Health Resources and Access Act made doula care a Medicaid-covered service. Some providers saw that as a big win. But when it comes to the Medicaid benefit, doulas in the District say the implementation has been disappointing and frustrating.

spotlightdc.orgD.C. doulas are struggling to serve low-income familiesFacing high maternal mortality rates, the District made doula care free for Medicaid patients. But experts say the benefit isn't working out in practice.
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SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

According to data from D.C.’s Department of Health Care Finance, just six local doulas were paid for their services with Medicaid patients from October 2025 to September 2026. For context, over 3,100 births were covered by Medicaid last year in D.C.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

In an email to The 51st, a DHCF spokesperson acknowledged the issues doulas have faced, and said the agency “should have had more tools available to better assist doulas in becoming Medicaid providers as we led up to implementation of the doula services benefit.”

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

D.C.'s Maternal Health Resources and Access Act made doula care a Medicaid-covered service. Some providers saw that as a big win. But when it comes to the Medicaid benefit, doulas in the District say the implementation has been disappointing and frustrating.

spotlightdc.orgD.C. doulas are struggling to serve low-income familiesFacing high maternal mortality rates, the District made doula care free for Medicaid patients. But experts say the benefit isn't working out in practice.
View full thread
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

When the benefit became available, Jackson quickly became a Medicaid provider. Four years later, she’s only served three Medicaid families. “I thought it opened the floodgates for the families that I could support,” said Jackson, “and it didn't really quite end up being that way.”

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Doulas say the Medicaid benefit has left them with endless paperwork, reimbursement delays, and insufficient support navigating a confusing credentialing process that has left few doulas able to support Medicaid patients.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

D.C.'s Maternal Health Resources and Access Act made doula care a Medicaid-covered service. Some providers saw that as a big win. But when it comes to the Medicaid benefit, doulas in the District say the implementation has been disappointing and frustrating.

spotlightdc.orgD.C. doulas are struggling to serve low-income familiesFacing high maternal mortality rates, the District made doula care free for Medicaid patients. But experts say the benefit isn't working out in practice.
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

D.C. has some of the worst rates of preterm birth and severe maternal morbidity in the country. Black women experience significantly worse outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth. A range of studies and pilot programs indicate that doulas help improve health outcomes for pregnant people and babies.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

When Crystal Jackson gave birth to her son, she felt scared, anxious, and lonely, all emotions she now realizes a doula could have helped her navigate. Now she’s a doula who provides non-clinical care before, during, and after delivery.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Ever wonder why some utility bills are so high? Earlier this year, a SpotlightDC-funded story showed how D.C.'s deregulated energy market leaves residential customers vulnerable to excessive charges and predatory practices.

spotlightdc.orgD.C. Third-Party Power Customers Paid 70 Percent More Than Pepco Rates, Costing Households Millions - SpotlightDCLow-income customers faced even higher losses, while commercial users saved about $193 million, Department of Energy and Environment data shows.
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Clearing D.C. homeless encampments caused confusion and chaos last year among people experiencing homelessness in the District and changed the reality of living outside. @streetsensedc.bsky.social obtained official emails—some of them written in Comic Sans—that show how it went down.

spotlightdc.orgInside the clearing of D.C.'s homeless encampments | SpotlightDCNewly obtained emails reveal internal turmoil between D.C. agencies, local police, and the National Security Council.
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

D.C. housing and tenant advocates are sounding the alarm about a 2025 bill that overhauled the city’s housing law and weakened protections for tenants. One key question: do renovated buildings count as "new" buildings? @51st.news reports, in a story funded by SpotlightDC.

spotlightdc.orgD.C. Tenant Advocates Sound Alarm About a RENTAL Act Loophole - SpotlightDCTenant organizers fought to exempt renovated buildings from the sweeping housing law, but advocates say that isn’t working in practice.
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

The work of the DC Food Policy Council might seem a little wonky. But after all, as a Ward 7 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner points out, "Everybody has to eat everyday." Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposed budget would eliminate the council. @51st.news explores what's at stake.

spotlightdc.orgD.C. has a food access problem. Advocates say Bowser’s budget would make it worse. - SpotlightDCThe mayor proposed eliminating an office that has helped low-income students access food over the summer and made it easier to start farmers markets.
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

As repairs dragged on in one of D.C.'s largest office buildings, the D.C. government spent more than $1 million on a team of contractors to manually watch for fire. It was supposed to be temporary. Taxpayers ended up footing the bill for almost a year.

spotlightdc.orgD.C. Spent $1 Million Hiring Humans to Yell ‘Fire!’ in Government Office - SpotlightDCTaxpayers paid $1,539,835 for a human fire watch and fire alert system repairs as the work dragged on for 11 months in the Marion Barry Building, which has been plagued by maintenance issues for years...
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

The Marion Barry Building houses offices for dozens of D.C. government agencies. In hearings, employees have also described roaches falling onto people from the ceiling and recounted prying themselves out of stuck elevators. Sloane Airey reports for @wcp.bsky.social, funded by SpotlightDC

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Read on for more information, including a report from the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment. Mayor Muriel Bowser is proposing legislation to enhance consumer protections for residential retail energy customers, and mayoral candidates have championed stringent retail market oversight.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

In contrast to D.C., Maryland’s Public Services Commission has initiated enforcement actions against predatory third-party suppliers. Last year, it ordered SmartEnergy—one of the companies on Selena’s account—to refund $6.5 million to more than 32,000 customers.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Disputed charges. Mounting debt. Chaotic electricity bills. D.C.'s deregulated energy market has left some residential customers vulnerable to excessive charges and predatory practices. In @wcp.bsky.social, Suzie Amanuel reports on the third-party power market: spotlightdc.org/third-party-...

spotlightdc.orgD.C. Third-Party Power Customers Paid 70 Percent More Than Pepco Rates, Costing Households Millions - SpotlightDCLow-income customers faced even higher losses, while commercial users saved about $193 million, Department of Energy and Environment data shows.
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

One customer named Selena was promised that if she switched providers, her Pepco bill would go down. Instead, her bills spiked. "I thought Pepco had gone crazy," Selena said. At one point, 15 different unknown energy suppliers appeared on her bill.

SpotlightDC reposted

The 51st
@51st.news

D.C. hasn’t elected a new delegate to Congress since 1990. There’s a lot at stake this time. Join The 51st, @washingtoninformer.com, and @spotlightdc.bsky.social for a debate on May 16. The candidates: Trent Holbrook @gregjaczko.bsky.social Brooke Pinto Robert White @kinney4dc.bsky.social

eventbrite.comDC DELEGATE TO CONGRESS DEBATEPrimary candidates for D.C.’s congressional delegate debate issues from criminal justice and the environment to public health and education.
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

ICYMI: Sloane Airey breaks down what last week's court ruling on Pepco's rate hike means for Washington City Paper, supported by SpotlightDC ⬇️

Sloane Airey 📰@sloaneairey.bsky.social

Last summer, I wrote about how DC utility watchdogs were suing the District over approving a $190 million Pepco rate hike. This week, courts agreed with watchdogs and vacated the rate hike approval. Read all the details @wcp.bsky.social washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7808...

washingtoncitypaper.comwashingtoncitypaper.com
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

"The AG’s case confirms much of City Paper’s previous reporting, including accounts from tenants in multiple Razjooyan-managed buildings who endured months without heat, repeated flooding, inhumane conditions, and threats of eviction." washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7794...

washingtoncitypaper.comD.C. Attorney General Targets D.C. Slumlord With RICO Lawsuit, Alleging Corrupt Enterprise Across 70 Rent-Controlled BuildingsDespite the AG’s lawsuit, another notorious slumlord has reappeared as a representative at a building in Razjooyan’s enterprise.

SpotlightDC reposted

Mitch Ryals
@mitchryals.bsky.social

Replying to @mitchryals.bsky.social

@wcp.bsky.social investigative reporter Suzie Amanuel has been reporting on Razjooyan and his associates since 2024, including his doctoring of loan documents and tricking tenants out of their rights as he has built a portfolio of neglected slums: washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7541...

washingtoncitypaper.comHow a D.C. ‘Slumlord’ Scammed Tenants and Lenders to Build a Portfolio of Neglected Properties, According to Lawsuits and Tenant AccountsAli “Sam” Razjooyan and his associates are accused of doctoring loan documents and tricking tenants out of their rights. While they get rich, tenants are displaced.

SpotlightDC reposted

NBC4 Washington
@nbcwashington.com

D.C. Council Chairmen Phil Mendelson announced he’s nominating Doni Crawford to fill the seat of Kenyan McDuffie, who resigned to run for mayor.

nbcwashington.comDC Council chair taps McDuffie staffer Doni Crawford to fill vacant seatD.C. Council Chairmen Phil Mendelson announced Monday he’s nominating Doni Crawford to fill the seat of Kenyan McDuffie, who resigned to run for mayor. Crawford is 36 years old and lives in Ward 5. Th...
SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

See you in an hour! If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, don’t worry — it’s not too late to join us for free pizza and good conversation!

SpotlightDC@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Come for the love for local news, stay for the free pizza 🍕 On 12/11, SpotlightDC will be celebrating the people who bring important local stories to life: reporters, editors, and funders.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

ICYMI ⬇️

SpotlightDC@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Come for the love for local news, stay for the free pizza 🍕 On 12/11, SpotlightDC will be celebrating the people who bring important local stories to life: reporters, editors, and funders.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Come for the love for local news, stay for the free pizza 🍕 On 12/11, SpotlightDC will be celebrating the people who bring important local stories to life: reporters, editors, and funders.

SpotlightDC
@spotlightdc.bsky.social

Our city has been through a lot this year. Throughout it, local journalists have doggedly covered underreported subjects that hold the powerful accountable. So whether you work in a newsroom, are a freelancer, or you're someone who simply cares about the District, we would love to see you there!

SpotlightDC reposted

The 51st
@51st.news

When DCist was shut down, it had 70,000+ subscribers. The 51st is proud to carry forward the spirit with which DCist served our city. But we can’t stop thinking about how most of those subscribers — our neighbors and friends — are just no longer receiving the kind of local news they signed up for.