On Jan. 26, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on strengthening the domestic supply chain of personal protective equipment (PPE) and essential medicines. The ANPRM seeks comments on how Medicare- participating hospitals can help in shoring up the production and use of American-made PPE and essential medicines. CMS seeks input on a new publicly reported “Secure American Medical Supplies” friendly designation that hospitals could earn by demonstrating a commitment to purchasing domestic products. Additionally, the ANPRM explores new payment policies to support hospitals that purchase domestic PPE and medicines, such as through a separate cost-based payment adjustment to hospitals that receive the new designation. Finally, CMS seeks comments on a potential structural quality measure in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program through which hospitals would attest to meeting the domestic procurement designation minimum percentages for PPE and essential medicines. Comments on the ANRPM are due March 30, 2026.
- Washington Highlights