Hello partners,  

This is a final reminder that Families USA invites you to sign on to a key comment letter that will shape how hospitals are paid for inpatient care in FY 2026.

You can read the comment letter here, and to sign on, please fill out this form  by 12:00pm ET, TOMORROW, Tuesday, June 10.

The federal government has released its annual updates to the regulation that determines how hospitals are paid for inpatient services, referred to as the Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment (IPPS) proposed rule. They are seeking feedback and input from the public on the ways they are planning to organize health care payment and delivery for hospitals in 2026 and beyond.

Because Medicare sets the benchmark for how most health care services are reimbursed across all payers, engaging in the Medicare payment rulemaking process is critical to protect and improve health care payment and delivery.

Virtually every hospital and hospital association in the country will be sending a letter to the federal government representing their interests. The government should also receive feedback supporting the interests of families, workers and employers.

Families USA's comment letter details the impact of CMS proposals to undermine hospital requirements to improve health inequities as well as proposals to improve efforts to hold hospitals accountable for health care costs and quality.

Specifically, the letter provides comments on:

The repeal of the Health Equity Adjustment (HEA) in the Hospital Value Based Purchasing program, which would remove a critical safeguard intended to support our nation's most vulnerable hospitals.
The removal of social drivers of health and commitment to health equity quality measures from the Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) program, which would undermine progress in social need data collection and hospital-led efforts to improve health equity.
Updates to the mandatory Transforming Episodic Accountability (TEAM) CMMI Model, that makes important improvements to its risk adjustment methodology that strengthens accountability for health outcomes and costs.

Thank you, and please reach out if you have any questions. 

Mike Persley

Strategic Partnerships Campaign Manager 

Families USA 