Statement:

Association Praises Hospital Designation Bill Reintroduction

Association Comments on Proposed MA Rule

January 27, 2026
Evan Schweikert

America’s Essential Hospitals has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage annual rule.

The proposed rule includes:

  • Updates to the MA Part C and Part D Star Ratings systems, including elimination of certain measures
  • Updates to the MA enrollment experience, including the creation of a new special enrollment period for enrollees when one or more of their providers leave the plan’s network
  • A request for information on future directions in Medicare Advantage

In addition to commenting on the proposals above, America’s Essential Hospitals also urged CMS to use its authority to implement a designation for essential hospitals.

Contact Director of Policy Rob Nelb, MPH, at rnelb@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.