Each year the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites stakeholders to submit comments on the proposed changes to Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule.
Leapfrog's comments on the IPPS FY26 Proposed Rule center around three important proposals that Leapfrog urges CMS to reverse.
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1. Keep the Hospital Commitment to Health Equity Measure
CMS plans to remove this measure from the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program, citing “burden.” However:
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Hospitals spend only six minutes and $4.13 per year on this measure.
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The benefits to patients are substantial—helping providers prevent avoidable risks and hospital readmissions.
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2. Preserve the Health Equity Adjustment (HEA)
CMS also proposes eliminating the HEA from the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program.
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This adjustment ensures fair payment for hospitals serving high-risk, low-resource populations.
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Without it, hospitals may be disincentivized to care for dual-eligible patients (Medicare + Medicaid).
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3. Retain Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Measures
CMS aims to drop SDOH screening from IQR reporting, again citing “burden.”
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Tracking these factors enables early intervention and better outcomes.
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Ignoring SDOH limits transparency and prevention-focused care.
We call on CMS to center its decisions on patient outcomes and public benefit—not just provider convenience.
Click the button below to view the CMS IPPS FY 26 Proposed Rule.
Click the button below to view Leapfrog’s letter and comments on the CMS IPPS FY 26 Proposed Rule.
View Letter Here
We invite you to sign on in support of our comments by filling out the form below by Monday, June 9 at 5:00PM ET.