May 27, 2025
The Leapfrog Group is submitting comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) FY26 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Rule.
In its comment letter, Leapfrog is urging CMS to reverse three major proposals that could significantly impact patient outcomes. Leapfrog urges CMS to:
- Uphold the Hospital Commitment to Health Equity Measure from the Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program, a measure that requires minimal time and cost but supports important patient safety efforts.
- Uphold the Health Equity Adjustment (HEA) from the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program, which currently helps support fair reimbursement for hospitals serving high-risk populations.
- Uphold the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screening measures in IQR reporting, which help identify and address factors that influence patient health outcomes.
Read Leapfrog's full comments and sign on in support here. Leapfrog is collecting signatures until 5pm on Monday, June 9.