AAMC Responds to CMS Proposal to Update Mandatory Kidney Transplant Model  

The AAMC submitted Feb. 6 comments (PDF) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding proposed changes to the Innovation Center’s mandatory Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model [refer to Washington Highlights, Dec. 12, 2025]. Recognizing the evolving regulatory landscape broadly impacting the nation’s organ transplant system, the AAMC emphasized the need to ensure the model’s policies do not create confusion and frustration for patients or impose significant new operational burdens on transplant programs. The letter recommended the agency reconsider updating and revising the IOTA Model’s policies or only do so with additional performance periods with no downside financial penalties.